SKA AXEMOXES AND CORAL ANIMALS. 



253 



by partitions, which run from the bottom to the top, 

 and from the outer wall to the stomach. Through the 

 opening at the bottom of the stomach there is free com- 

 munication with all the chambers formed by the parti- 

 tions, and these chambers connect with the tentacles ; 

 so that the food, after being digested, passes into the 

 main body, and thence into the tentacles, thus nourish- 



Fig. 4S7. — Cluster of Coral Polyps in various stages of expansion. 



ing every part. The food of polyps consists of small 

 marine animals of various kinds, which are secured by 

 means of the tentacles and the curious and wonderful 

 lassos situated on the tentacles. The word Polyp 

 means many-footed, and is given to these animals 

 on account of their numerous tentacles ; but it must 

 not be supposed that the latter are feet in any true 

 sense. Most kinds of Polyps are attached to the rocks, 

 shells, or other bodies beneath the waves. Some 

 live singly, others in communities whose numbers are 

 often far more numerous than the leaves upon the 

 trees. 



