CORALLINE. 



57 



but when removed from the water, the purple 

 tint vanishes, and the white stony skeleton re- 

 mains. It is, however, a true vegetable^ as may- 

 be seen by dissolving away the chalky portions in 

 acid: there is then left a vegetable framework, 

 precisely like that of other algae belonging to the 

 same sub-class. 



The coralline is a small plant, seldom exceed- 

 ing five or six inches in height, and not often 

 even reaching that size. However, it compensates 

 for its low stature by its luxuriant growth, being 

 usually found in dense masses wherever it can 

 find a convenient shelter. 



If a dried branch of coralline be inserted into 

 the flame of a candle, it exhibits a most brilliant 

 white light just at the point where it meets the 

 flame. The light is exhibited better by the flame 

 of a spirit-lamp than by that of a candle, and for 

 obvious reasons. 



It will live well in an aquarium, and, if taste- 

 fully disposed, is an elegant ornament to the vase 

 or tank. There is now in my own aquarium a 

 moderate tuft of coralline, which seems in good 

 health, although the water has lately been assum- 

 ing an unpleasant milky appearance, from some 

 cause which I cannot as yet detect. 



We now come to a most magnificent sea-plant^ 



