ANTHOZOA 475 



The colonies of the Precious Red Coral (Corallium rubrum) are 

 constructed on an essentially different plan. They form small tree-like 

 growths, extending to a height of about 12 inches, the stems and 

 branches of which are traversed by a solid calcareous axis, and covered 

 by a soft layer (ccenosarc), as a tree by its bark. (The precious coral, 

 with its nearest allies, forms the group of alcyonarian corals.) The 

 zooids are situated in apertures of the red ccenosarc ; they possess eight 

 pinnately-fringed tentacles, and resemble snow-white flowers. The 

 animal lives in the Mediterranean, and selects for its habitat by pre- 

 ference the under surface of overhanging rocks. They are caught in 

 large nets fixed to a heavy crossbeam, for the calcareous axis of these 

 animals, which is of marble-like hardness and capable of a high degree " 

 of polish, is, as is well known, valued almost as highly as a precious 

 gem, and fabricated into all sorts of ornamental articles. 



