414 



Marvels of the Universe 



THE FAN-CORALS 



BY EDWARD A. MARTIN, F.G.S. 



The four examples of deep-sea life which we here show are not usually recognized b}' most persons 

 as Corals at all ; the word " Coral " as a rule conveying a meaning as of something hard and stony, 

 and bearing various pretty markings which are at once recognized as having been the clefts in which 

 the polyps lived and died. But they are no less true Corals than are the Madrepores and the Brain- 

 Stones which are so familiar as ornaments in the cabinet or the drawing-room. As a matter of fact, 

 they belong to the same great order of Nature as that to which the beautiful Red Coral belongs. 



Pholo !..»] 



[//. J. ^Uep^tone. 



A FERN-LIKE HORN^' CORAL. 



Like all the horny Corals the branches of this species are covered, when living, with a rind of flesh, of which the polyps 

 form part. The branches start off from the stems in two directions only, so that they present a fern-like appearance. 



although even this has to be polished before it assumes the brilliant appearance wliich the article 

 possesses when it is placed on the market. 



The Fan-Corals — or, as they are sometimes called, the " sea-shrubs " — are scientifically known 

 as the Gorgonise, although most of them are too pretty to even suggest any resemblance to the 

 Gorgon's head of ancient myth. Nor is the title " sea-shrub " a happy one, as they are no part of 

 the vegetable world at all. Like many other wonders of the sea, the name was given them 

 because of outward resemblance only, and it remained for science to place them in their right place 

 in the scheme of Nature. All Corals are distinctly animal, and if only we could watch the polyps 

 working under a microscope we should at once see clearly their animal nature. Sometimes in 

 museums we find a specimen of Coral with all its flesh intact, whilst peeping from out of the flesh 

 the snow-white polyps have been caught in the act, so to speak, and preserved in that condition 

 in spirit. 



