44 
FISH G/VLLERY. 
to the case showing the different kinds of sponge used in 
commerce. 
Nearly the whole of the remainder of the gallery is given up 
to the Corals, show^ing the immense variety of form and colour 
of these animals, some of which present a marvellous resem- 
blance to vegetable growths. The part exhibited is merely the 
dried, hard, horny, or calcareous basis or supporting skeleton either 
of isolated individuals, or of colonies, of creatures allied to the 
well-known sea-anemones of our coasts. The aggregated skele- 
tons of myriads of these animals form the coral-reefs which 
constitute the base of thousands of islands in the Indo-Pacific 
Ocean. Among the larger reef-making species are the Brain- 
Corals (Meandrina), one of which is shown in the accompanying 
cut (fig. 17). Near the west end of the gallery is placed a magnifi- 
cent specimen of the Black Coral of the Mediterranean {Gerardia 
savalia), one of the Antipatharia, which was obtained off the 
coast of the island of Euboea in the ^Egean Sea. 1'he drawing 
in the case shows a magnified view of the polypes of this species 
as they appear in life. In case 13 are specimens and drawings 
of the Red Coral {Corallium rubrum), so largely used for orna- 
mental purposes, and also of the crimson Organ-pipe Coral 
(Tuhipora). Arranged on shelves on the south wall of the western 
end of this gallery is a series of Pennatulidce (sea-pens, sea-rushes, 
or sea-ropes) preserved in spirit. These zoophytes live at the 
bottom of the sea, with their lower end fixed in the sand and 
mud ; and their skeleton is never more than a straight internal 
axial rod. 
Approached through the Coral Gallery, and running backwards 
at right angles with it, are several galleries containing other 
portions of the zoological collections. 
Fish Gallery. I. The Fish Gallery, which is nearest to the Central Hall, 
contains the exhibited portion of the collection of Fishes. The 
greater number of specimens, preserved in spirit, are, however, 
placed for safety in a detached building behind the Museum, 
where they are available for study under special regulations. The 
gallery contains stuffed examples, models, and skeletons of many 
of the more remarkable members of the class. The gallery is at 
]»resent in course of rearrangement, so that its contents can be 
noticed but briefly. 
