an inch. In different fpecimens however there is a 
confiderable variation, both in the proportional length 
and diameter of the tubes. The real nature of the in¬ 
habiting animals of thefe tubes is not clearly afcertained, 
but they are fuppofed by Linnteus to be ftrongly allied 
to Nereides. In point of beauty fearce any of the 
coral tribe can exceed the prefent fpecies; the colour, 
which is a rich purple or deep crimfon, highly in- 
creafing the elegance of the fabric. The individual 
tubes, when accurately examined, appear each furnifhed 
with a fmaller internal tube, which is divided at certain 
diflances by radiated diaphragms or partitions. By 
means of thefe internal tubes the different flrata often 
communicate with each other. This curious coral ex¬ 
tends itfelf to a very confiderable fize; fpecimens hav¬ 
ing been frequently feen of from one to three feet in 
diameter. In its recent date the whole upper furface is 
coated over by a mucous or gelatinous fubftance, which 
feems to pervade the tubular texture of the whole coral. 
The tubipora mufica is produced in the greatefl abun¬ 
dance about the fhores of the Eaft-Indian iflands and 
thofe of the Pacific Ocean. 
Fig. i, A piece laid open and magnified by the microfcope, 
in order to fhevv the interior ftru£lure. 
Fig. 2 ., 3, 4, Separate tubes of their natural fize. 
