SEA ANEMONES AND CORALS 



4S 



and the cluster increases by further budding from the bases of the 

 older polyps until it may be several inches in diameter. 



The Fleshy Coral, fAlcyoneniii earneiun, Fig. IS), is found from 

 the eastern end of Long Island to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is 



Fig. ig; BltOWN SEA-ANEMONE. E.vpaiided. From Lite. 



rarely seen in shallow water bat is common upon rocks at depths 

 greater than 2(.) feet. When first broiight up from the bottom it 

 appears as an ugl\', tough gelatinous mass covered witli dull 

 yellowish-pink finger-shaped processes. If placed in water, how- 

 ever, the whole mass soon appears studded with beautiful star- 

 shaped polj'ps, which expand so as to give the appearance of a 

 stump covered witli delicate pink flowers. 



Each of these polyps has a terminal mouth surrounded by 

 eight tentacles, the sides of which are bordered with rays giving 

 a feathery appearance. The whole colony of polyps develops 

 through constant budding from the sides and bases of the older 

 parts of the colony. 



Alcyonaria or fleshy corals are extremely abundant in the 

 tropical Pacific where they often cover the reefs for acres in extent 

 with a tough, leathery-looking carpet studded with eight-rayed 



