CORALS. 
37 
widely distributed substance in its various 
1/ 
forms of limestone, marble, chalk, coral, 
pearls; Though all chemically similar the 
method of their manufacture is still a secret 
of Nature’s. 
Persons wishing to study the different forms 
of coral found here should make a point of ex- 
amining the collection at the Museum which 
includes species of the following : — 
Madrepora, Millepora, Maeandrina, Agaricia, 
Xsophyllia, Colpohyllia, Maneiama, Porites, 
Eusmilia, Oculina, Orbicella and Siderastroea. 
The corals generally offered for sale are • — 
Madrepora palmata (Pan-tile) Madrepora cer- 
vicornis (Stag’s horn), Madrepora prolifera 
(small Stag’s horn). The Madrepora are the 
most abundant locally, and are the principal 
reef-builders, being vigorous branching corals 
that will not thrive below a depth of 20 
fathoms, or if the temperature of the water is 
less than 68° F, Reef corals will not grow 
above the level of the sea. 
Manciana areolata is a small coral 2 or 3 
inches across ; it is sometimes called brain- 
stone. 
Occasionally specimens of a Mseandrina, the 
true brain-stones, are offered for sale. 
Millepora alcicornia, though much branched, 
has a smooth surface, the individual corallites 
of which it is formed being microscopic in size. 
Unfortunately Jamaica does not possess the 
Red, or other highly prized corals, found off 
Torre del Greco off the coast of Italy and for 
The Ivory Coral (Oculina) though usually small is one of the pretti- 
est of the Jamaican Corals, but being rare is only occasionally offered, 
for sale. 
