COKALS. 389 



centre is a clustered branch of the White Coral, which is so 

 much used as a drawing-room ornament when placed under a 

 glass shade. In the upper right-hand comer may be seen a 

 singular group of zoophytes with curved stems and flower-like 

 heads. This is the Green Clatellaria (Clavellaria viridis), 

 one of the most striking examples of the genus. 



The Green Clavellaria is very common on the Isle of Vanikoro, 

 and is found in tolerably large masses, adhering to rocks, madre- 

 pores and similar substances. All the Clavellarias are of some- 

 what similar shape, though variable in size and colour, and may 

 be recognised by several conspicuous characteristics. The tubes 

 are nearly cylindrical, but tapering, as shown in the illustration, 

 and forming a footstalk, which is more or less bent. 



The texture is somewhat leathery, and is strengthened by 

 innumerable spicules of a calcareous nature, which are agglome- 

 rated together in bimdles. These spicules are too small to be 

 distinguished except by the microscope ; but under a tolerably 

 high power, they are seen to be long and spindle-shaped, sharp 

 at both ends, and being encircled with little rounded knobs, set 

 in regular rows. These tubes are always placed very closely 

 together, but do not adhere to each other, their grooved surfaces 

 being always distinct. 



The animal by which this tube is formed is a very pretty one, 

 cylindrical, with eight radiating tentacles of a violet grey. The 

 colour of the tube is green for the upper half, and then changes 

 to brown, so that the contrast of the two colours is very decided. 

 The average length of the tube is two inches. 



There are several other species of Clavellaria, among which 

 may be noticed the Violet Clavellaria (Clavellaria violaced). 

 This is a much smaller species, but is coloured in a more bold 

 and decided manner. In this creature the tubes are dark violet, 

 and the tentacles are bright yellow. Itey do not, however, 

 project from the tube as boldly as those of the preceding species, 

 but only just show their tips above the entrance, vrithdrawing 

 them smartly on the least alarm. As they retreat, they slightly 

 contract the orifice, their bodies being fastened to the inside of 

 the tube. 



Towards the centre of the illustration, and on the right-haud 

 side, may be seen a remarkable tree-like object, covered with 



