Fungia agaridformis. (Living. 



Fungia Paumotensis. 



Fungia agaridformis. (Skeleton.) 



our few native Corals, shown under three aspects. The large, rounded figure in the lower 

 corner exhibits the DEVONSHIRE CUP CORAL as it appears when the tentacles are fully 

 expanded ; that to the right shows the dead stony corallum of the same species, and the 

 upper figure is given for the purpose of exhibiting the curious manner in which it 

 multiplies itself by throwing off buds from its sides. It is not a very large, but it is a 

 very pretty species, the colour of its corallum being generally pure translucent white, 

 sometimes tinged with a delicate rosy hue, while that of the living animal is pearly white, 

 variegated with rich chestnut, and the palest imaginable fawn. 



It is mostly a deep-water species, not unfrequent on our southern coasts, and is seldom 

 procured except by means of the dredge or grapnel. Sometimes, however, it is found near 

 the coast, and at the equinoctial springtides may sometimes be procured from the rocks 

 which are laid bare by the receding waters. Fortunately for the collectors, it is very 

 gregarious in its habits ; and when one specimen is found, others may generally be secured 

 within a very short distance. It is a pretty inhabitant of the aquarium, and, as a general 

 rule, may be induced to expand its long"" tendrils to their fullest extent, by placing 

 a morsel of food upon the orifice. When properly managed it is tolerably hardy, but it 

 does not brook inattention shrinking- up daily, and at last perishing hopelessly. When 

 new to the mysteries of aquarium-management, I never could keep a Cup Coral more than 

 a month. 



IN the family Oculinidse, the corallum is branched and tree-like, and is here repre- 

 sented by our only known British form, the TUFT CORAL. It is very rare, and but seldom 

 taken in our seas. A remarkably fine specimen is figured by Mr. Gosse, who remarks 

 that it was taken off Skye in the year 1852, entangled in the deep-sea-line of a fisherman. 



