68 
POPULAE SCIENCE EEYIEW. 
all the information which, he acquired during thirty-six months 
of cautious and well-conducted experiment and observation.* 
Every one is familiar with the general contour of the red 
coral [Gorallium ruhrum). It is to be seen in almost all 
collections of natural history specimens^ and presents to the 
eye the appearance of a branching tree-like object^ composed 
of coloured mineral matter. As we walk through a museum 
and observe it beneath a glass shade, and, as it were, rooted 
firmly to some piece of rock or stone, it certainly seems hard 
to think that what we see belongs to the animal world. Yet 
such is unquestionably the case. Let us, therefore, in the 
first instance give such a general description of this anomalous 
animal as shall lead to some idea of its animahty, before 
we proceed to deal with the history of its strange existence, 
and the peculiar structure of its living frame- work. 
The branching object that we are now examining is, when 
in a condition of life, covered with a soft and fleshy crust of a 
brick-red colour, and which invests every portion of its surface. 
This bark -like tissue exhibits here and there a number of 
little elevations, and from these, at times, project several beau- 
tifully transparent short tubes, crowned with star-like coronets, 
having the semblance of the clearest crystal. These projecting 
bodies are genuine animals, and to them the term pohjintes 
has been applied by our distinguished countryman Professor 
Huxley. Such, then, is an outline sketch of our coral — a 
brick-red branching object covered with skin, and harbouring 
numerous polypites. The latter are actual animals ; their 
crown of tentacles enjoys the greatest freedom of voluntary 
motion, and guards the mouth, which can be opened or closed 
at the desire of the individual, for the entrance or imprison- 
ment of all luckless infusoria which have come within the 
grasp of the tentacular organs. They can digest their food 
too, and are provided with a proportionately large stomach, 
which lies in the central cavity of the body. Sometimes the 
entire surface of the coral-mass is covered with these ex- 
quisitely translucent animal flowers ; but upon the slightest 
provocation they disappear and play the recluse. They must, 
therefore, be provided with muscular and sensational power. 
It is evident that they are sensible of anything which is uncon- 
genial, and that they have the faculty of withdrawing them- 
selves from its influence. For, the moment they are irritated 
in they all go ; the little projections from the brick -red mass 
become more prominent, and are all that is left to the 
observer of the glorious colony of beings which had a few 
moments before been enjoying the conditions of out-of-door life. 
* “ Histoire Naturelle du Corail ; Organization ; Eeproduction ; Peclie 
en Algerie : Industrie et Commerce.” Par le Docteur H. Lacaze-Duthiers. 
Paris : Bailliere. 1864. 
