752 



THE TUFT CORAL. 





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 color 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 sel- 

 dom 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 



Fungia Paumotensis, 



Fungia agaricifortnis. (Living.) 



Fungia agariciformis. (Skeleton.) 



from the rocks which are laid bare by the receding waters. Fortunately for the col- 

 lectors, 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 Oculinidae, 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. 



