G. CORALLIUM. 
227 
ten to fifteen fathoms in depth ; from twenty-five to 
thirty years, at the distance of a hundred fathoms 
from the surface ; and forty years at least, at the 
distance of one hundred and fifty. 
The Coral is generally of a more beautiful colour 
in shallow waters, which easily admit the light, than 
where the immense column of water, by absorbing all 
the luminous rays, deprives it of the energetic influ- 
ence exerted over all animated beings by that benefi- 
cent fluid which unceasingly emanates from the sun. 
The Coral on the coast of France, perhaps better 
chosen than in other countries, has the reputation of 
having the liveliest colour, and possessing the greatest 
brilliancy ; that of Italy, however, rivals it in beauty : 
on the coasts of Barbary it attains greater thickness, 
but the colour is not so lively, nor so brilliant. 
Fifteen different varieties are distinguished in the 
course of commerce, which, from their colour and de- 
grees of beauty, obtain the several names of froth of 
blood; flower of blood ; first, second, third blood, fyc. 
N. B. The manner of obtaining Coral is so well 
described in a short account of Trepani in Sicily, 
that, as M. Lamouroux refers us to other books for 
information on the subject, I shall take the liberty of 
inserting it. 
“ At this place is carried on the principal Coral 
fishery of the island, which is managed by a very in- 
genious and simple contrivance. To the centre of a 
large cross of wood is fixed a stone sufficiently 
ponderous to carry the cross to the bottom of the 
water. Pieces of small net are tied to each limb 
of the cross, which is poised horizontally by a rope. 
