MADREPORE. 



113 



observing that the reader must not expect to find 

 the crass presenting precisely the appearance of 

 the specimen here depicted, for the whole of the 

 body is generally invisible when the creature is 

 offended, part being buried in the sand, and the 

 remainder overshadowed by the thick and close- 

 set tentacles. If, however, it is carefully re- 

 moved, and takes up its residence in a jar or 

 tank where there is no sand, it then assumes the 

 shape of the figure, at all events for a time ; but 

 after a little experience of prison it changes its 

 shape so frequently that it almost realizes the 

 fable of Proteus, and his efforts in a similar 

 difl&culty. 



On plate l, fig. 1, is a representation of another 

 British zoophyte, allied to the anemones, but yet 

 distinct from them. It is the Common Madrepore 

 {CaryopJiyllia Smithii), a member of that wondrous 

 family that produces the coral and similar sub- 

 stances. 



When removed from the water, or even when 

 alarmed, the animal portion of the madrepore 

 suddenly shrinks, and little is visible save a series 

 of thin calcareous plates, standing on edge, and 

 radiating from a centre. But when the creature 

 has recovered its self-possession, and begins to 

 feel rather hungry, a beautiful semi-transparent 



I 



