598 Badiata. 
the sea by animals called polyps, or, to use the Latin and 
now established term, polypi. The whole form a living 
mass, or polypidom, all the polypi in which are united 
under one skin, and have one common stomach. Each 
of these polypi resides in a distinct cell; they are generally 
dormant during winter, and like the blossoms of plants, 
push forth buds, and expand in the summer season. The 
steins and branches of the Gorgonise, which are of a some- 
what horny and flexible nature, may be considered as the 
true skeletons of the nests of the sea polypi, being covered 
with a fleshy or pulpy substance, the surface of which is 
porous. These pores are the mouths or openings of the 
cells, in which the polypi are lodged; and it is the 
number, disposition, and varied structure of these, in ad- 
dition to the general aspect of the plant-like nest of 
habitations, that constitute the distinguishing difference 
of the species. 
The bone of the Red Coral constitutes that beautiful 
and much esteemed production, the true or red coral of 
the jewellers. It is found in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, 
and Red Sea, and appears to be nowhere more abundant 
than in the seas about Marseilles, Corsica, Sicily, the 
coasts of Africa, and in the vicinity of Barbary ; where 
the Coral fisheries are carried on with great spirit, and 
prove very lucrative. It is equal in hardness and dura- 
bility to the most compact marble ; and these qualities, 
in addition to its beautiful texture and colour, have 
rendered it valuable in all ages. Thus in the book of 
Job, " No mention shall be made of corals, or of pearls ; 
for the price of wisdom is above rubies." 
Travellers in tropical lands often speak of the exqui- 
site beauty of the coral beds that lie at the bottom of 
the ocean. The water is so clear in those regions, that 
these wonderful formations are clearly visible at a great 
depth, growing like stony forests, mingled with waving 
seaweeds of many brilliant dyes. 
The mode of obtaining Coral is by a very simple ma- 
chine, consisting of two strong bars of wood or iron, tied 
across each other, with a weight suspending from their 
centre of union. Each of the bars is loosely surrounded, 
throughout its whole length, with twisted hemp ; and, at 
