ON THE SICILIAN CORAL FISHERY. ]43 



phoric acid, which it is well known gives the red colour to the 

 blood of animals*. The phosphate of iron therefore, which in 

 animals has the property of giving the lively red colour to the 

 blood, and even the vermilion hue to the skin, serves lo colour 

 the solid part of coral, and give it the brilliant sanguineous 

 tinge. 



The first variety, as I have remarked, is esteemed the most Attempt to 

 perfect: it is more solid than the other kinds, of a finer and account for the 



1 . , 1 • •. .• I X difference of 



more compact texture, and hence takes a higner pohsh. In texture and co- 



the other kinds, in proportion as the bright colour fades, these *''"''*• 



qualities gradually decrease, so that the white sort, wiiich is the 



softest and lightest, is very unfit to be wrought, and takes but 



a trifling polish. The deficiency in the quantity of phosphate 



of iron diminishes the colour, and at the same time decreases 



the density of its texture; or perhaps the light texture by its 



porosity permits the water to wash away the colouring matter, 



and consequently that which would tend to bring it to perfect 



maturity. 



To this may be attributed the peculiarities of some corals, in'The red parts 



which the trunk is red, and the branches white: or the ^'yi'^Y^ ™"*^ 



solid, 

 branches red within, and externally white ; or the branches 



half white and half red, which is often seen in coralligenous 

 productions; but the red part always proves of firmer texture 

 than the others. 



While naturalists have been employed in investigating thep^j.^!^ 

 origin of coral, and the nature of its growth, each applying it nament 

 to diflferent purposes ; the fair sex, occupied by the natural 

 desire of pleasing, have been much indebted to the brilliant 

 colour and fine lustre of this marine production. Coral formed 

 into beads is worn as an ornament of the neck and arms; and 

 there is no doubt, that the lively colour of coral gives addi- 

 tional grace to a fine face and beautiful complexion, which can- j^ son,e j-g. 

 not be obtained by the use of the precious stones, so that spects superior 

 these can only be considered as ornaments of luxury and show. ^° o^^^- 

 The ladies who are always led away by fashion, because they 

 consider it as depending on the existing taste of the other sex, 

 laid aside this beautiful ornament, to load themselves with 



* This is at least highly questionable. See Journal, p. 31, of the pre- 

 sent volume, and p, 48 of tlie precediiio:. C. 



jewels 



