388 HOMES WITHOUT HAMDS. 



the vast numbers of new settlements that are made by the young 

 which are poured from the mouth. 



Although we have now learned the method by which the 

 Coral animals are reproduced, we have not ascertained how the 

 solid, stony substance which we caU Coral is formed, nor the 

 precise connexion which exists between the animal and the Coral. 



If the reader will take up a branch of the ordinary Coral of 

 commerce, he wiU see that it is slightly grooved or fluted 

 throughout its extent, and that its surface is studded with little 

 projections having star-like discs. Now, if this piece of Coral 

 could be again clothed with the living creature by which it was 

 deposited, we should see a beautiful and a wonderful sight. 

 Next to the stony core lie a series of longitudinal vessels, each 

 vessel corresponding with a groove, and above them lies a con- 

 fused mass of irregular vessels communicating with each other. 

 At intervals there arise the lovely flowerets of the Coral, the 

 bodies being bright rose-colour, and their arms pure white. 

 These arms or tentacles are in ceaseless motion, and the aspect 

 of a large and healthy branch of coral is imposingly beautiful. 



The animal has the power of depositing certain minute cal- 

 careous particles, commonly called spicules, which are always of 

 remarkable forms, and are different in the various species of 

 coral. In the common red Coral, they are nearly cylindrical, 

 and armed with projecting knobs covered with angular spikes. 

 These spicules are then bound together by a red cement, and 

 thus the Coral is formed, the fluted branches being deposited 

 under the longitudinal vessels, and the raised projections under 

 the flowerets of the polype. To see the Coral in full vigour it is 

 necessary to visit the spots where it grows, as it dies almost im- 

 mediately after being taken out of the water, and even if trans- 

 ferred with great care to a vessel, is sure to die in a very short 

 time. After death, the whole of the bark dries up, and fades 

 away, so that it crumbles into powder at a touch, and can be 

 removed by merely rubbing the Coral between the fingers. 



Several of the more curious species of Corals and Madrepores 

 are to be seen upon the large illustration, which represents a 

 portion of sea-bed beset with these beautiful zoophytes. 



In the upper left hand comer is the common Eed Coeal of 

 commerce, which has been already mentioned, and in the upper 



