248 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



coral grew much more rapidly than Avas formerly 

 supposed. A common brick, upon which the 

 accompanying head of MceaudrliM had fastened 

 itself, was closely observed, and as a result its 

 growth was estimated at one inch per year. 

 The branch-corals grew at least six or eight 

 inches a year — observations that were new and 

 interesting. 



As the weeks passed on, the collections con- 

 stantly accumulated, and, when opportunity of- 

 fered, many treasures were sent North to the 

 Cambridge Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, 

 and the College of the City of New York, while 

 various schools and friends were supplied with 

 sets of corals and shells. The fishes were shipped 

 in alcohol, with many of the smaller and more 

 delicate animals, as the anemones, star-fishes, 

 sea-pigeons, while the gorgonias or sea-fans Avere 

 carefully dried. The corals were bleached by 

 alloAving them to stand for a Aveek in stale 

 water, Avhen they were thoroughly rinsed and 

 syringed Avith fresh water, to remove every 

 portion of the animal. Then the branches Avere 

 placed in the sun, soon bleaching a pure white. 



