8 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in the Gulf of Gaeta, off Sicily, especially at Trapani at its 

 western extremity, off Corsica and Sardinia, in the Straits of 

 Bonifacio, off the Mediterranean shores of France, at Marseilles 

 and Provence, off Catalonia, off Tunis, Algiers, and the shores 

 of Morocco, as well as the Ionian Sea, and Cape Verde Islands 

 in the Atlantic. Other species of corals come from the Mauritius 

 and Djilolo.* " The valuable pink coral is found chiefly off the 

 coast of Sicily. In the year 1875 a bed was discovered in the 

 Straits of Messina, in which the coral, though found only in 

 small quantities and of small size, was of immense value, owing 

 to its beautiful uniform pink colour, and without any of those 

 stains which detract so much from its worth. The coral found 

 in this place was sent chiefly to London and Birmingham. 

 Its value is from .£80 to upwards of ^200 per ounce."! The 

 supply of this coral, however, was of short duration. It is 

 usually attached to the under surface of stones and rocks on the 

 so-called banks, which the coral fishermen (corallini) find with 

 remarkable skill ; indeed, Lacaze Duthiers says they are as well 

 acquainted with these as with the islands which rise above the 

 sea. Moreover, it would appear to flourish better where the 

 bottom is muddy than where it is clear or sandy. By its base it 

 clings firmly to stones, rocks, and other surfaces, penetrating the 

 small crevices, and often having various growths such as Polyzoa 

 and Melobesia externally, while occasionally it envelops a shell 

 (Thecidium), a sea-acorn (coral-tulip), or a piece of wood. 



Coral varies in appearance, some specimens being larger and 

 more branched, others shorter and less branched, age having a 

 considerable effect in modifying its aspect. Barely are the 

 branches regular, since accidents of various kinds and the death 

 of parts occur. Its hard axis is capable of taking a fine polish, 

 as also is that of certain allied forms such as Pleurocorallium.\ 



Most authors who have examined it in life have had consider- 

 able difficulty in carrying out their wishes — from the days of 

 Peyssonnel till now — for the boats are often a long time at sea. 

 Their owners are somewhat suspicious of strangers on board, 

 both in connection with the coral itself and the distraction of the 



* See Hiekson, Camb. Nat. Hist. vol. 1906, " Ccelenterata," &c, p. 352. 

 f Greek & Co., in litt. to Prof. Moseley, ' Nature,' March, 1882. 

 \ J. Yate Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899. p. 57. 



