38 
WEST WING. 
are so minute, that they can be studied with the microscope 
only ; their structure is therefore illustrated by means of models 
and figures. The next divisions of the gallery are occupied by the 
sponges ; most conspicuous among them is a series showing the 
variations of the common bath- sponge (cases land 2), the beauti- 
ful siliceous Eupledella or Venus' flower basket, and the Japanese 
Hyalonema or glass rope sponge (case 3), and the gigantic 
Rhapliiopliora or IsTeptune's goblet, of which several specimens 
are placed on separate stands. 
Kearly the whole of the remainder of the gallery is given up 
to the Corals, showing the immense variety of form and colour 
of these animals, some presenting a marvellous resemblance 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 skeletons 
of myriads of these animals form the coral-reefs which con- 
stitute the base of thousands of islands in the Indo-Pacific 
Ocean. Near the middle of the gallery is placed a magnificent 
specimen of the Black Coral of the Mediterranean {Gerardia 
savalia), one of the Antiioatharia, which was obtained off the 
coast of the island of Eubcea in the ^gean Sea. A drawing on 
the adjoining wall shows a magnified view of the polypes of 
this species as they appear in life. In case 13 are specimens 
and drawings of the Eed Coral {Corallmm ruhrum), so largely 
used for ornamental purposes, and also of the crimson Organ-pipe 
Coral (TuUpora). 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. They 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. 
Two table-cases at the western end of the gallery contain the 
PoLYZO A, a group of small animals which, like corals, are supported 
by a calcareous or horny plant-like growth, but in their internal 
structure are more nearly related to the Mollusca, a class 
exhibited in the adjoining gallery. Many fine specimens of 
this group, as well as others exhibited in this gallery, were 
obtained on the exi)loring voyage of H.M.S. Challenger." 
