an inch. In different fpecimens however there is a 

 confiderable variation, both in the proportional length 

 and diameter of the tubes. The real nature of the in- 

 habiting animals of thefe tubes is not clearly afcertained, 

 but they are fuppofed by Linnaeus to be ftrongly allied 

 to Nereides. In point of beauty fcarce any of the 

 coral tribe can exceed the prefent fpecies ; the colour, 

 which is a rich purple or deep crimfon, highly in- 

 creafing the elegance of the fabric. The individual 

 tubes, when accurately examined, appear each furnifhed 

 with a fmaller internal tube, which is divided at certain 

 diftances by radiated diaphragms or partitions. By 

 means of thefe internal tubes the different flrata often 

 communicate with each other. This curious coral ex- 

 tends itfelf to a very confiderable fize ; fpecimens hav- 

 ing been frequently feen of from one to three feet in 

 diameter. In its recent {late the whole upper furface is 

 coated over by a mucous or gelatinous fubftance, which 

 feems to pervade the tubular texture of the whole coral. 

 The tubipora mufica is produced in the greateft abun- 

 dance about the mores of the Eait-Indian iilands and 

 ihofe of the Pacific Ocean. 



Fig. i, A piece laid open and magnified by the microfcope* 

 in order to (hew the interior ftructure. 



Fig. 2, 3, 4, Separate tubes of their natural fize. 



