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"It appears to be confined to the Mediterranean Sea, where it grows, especially on the southern coast, attached to rocks at considerable depths in the sea. It is fished up from the deep by means of nets and other instruments. The manufacture of ornaments of this coral at Naples is of great extent." — Goodrich, 1859

Red coral

"It appears to be confined to the Mediterranean Sea, where it grows, especially on the southern coast,…

"The Tubularidae are a family of hydroid polypes are for the most part social animals, frequently possessing a polypidom, which, however, when present, is of much less firm consistence than the horny framework of the Sertularidae. The polypes are never entirely retractable within their tubes; the upper extremity is enlarged into a clavate head, surrounded by a variable number of tentacles." — Goodrich, 1859

Tubularia coronata

"The Tubularidae are a family of hydroid polypes are for the most part social animals, frequently possessing…

"In the genus Alcyonium, the polypidom is of a spongy nature, and contains a multitude of minute calcareous concretions, which serve to give firmness to the fabric. When the polypes are contracted, the surface of the polypidom, which is covered with a coriaceous skin, is seen to bear numerous scattered stellate marks, which, on examination, are found to consist of eight rays correstponding with the tentacula of the polypes which are to be protruded from these spots." — Goodrich, 1859

Alcyonium elegans

"In the genus Alcyonium, the polypidom is of a spongy nature, and contains a multitude of minute calcareous…

A genus of the Alcyonidae.

Cydonium mulleri

A genus of the Alcyonidae.

"It is to this family more especially that the formation of the coral reeds is to be attributed. In this the corals usually form thick stony masses; the stony rays of the cells are exceedingly numerous, and the cels themselves penetrate deeply into the mass of coral, although they are generally partially divided by imperfect transverse paritions." — Goodrich, 1859

Astraea rotulosa

"It is to this family more especially that the formation of the coral reeds is to be attributed. In…

"Their tentacles, which are disposed in regular circles, and tinged with a variety of bright lively colors, very nearly represent the beautiful petals of some f the most elegantly fringed and radiated flowers, such as the carnation, marygold, and anemone. They are of various sizes, from that of the smallest thimble to the largest apple; and have considerable power of locomotion, being able not only to move along upon the base, but also in a reversed position upon their entacles." — Goodrich, 1859

Sea-anemone

"Their tentacles, which are disposed in regular circles, and tinged with a variety of bright lively…

"Their tentacles, which are disposed in regular circles, and tinged with a variety of bright lively colors, very nearly represent the beautiful petals of some f the most elegantly fringed and radiated flowers, such as the carnation, marygold, and anemone. They are of various sizes, from that of the smallest thimble to the largest apple; and have considerable power of locomotion, being able not only to move along upon the base, but also in a reversed position upon their entacles." — Goodrich, 1859

Mouth of the sea-anemone

"Their tentacles, which are disposed in regular circles, and tinged with a variety of bright lively…

"In the family of the Gorgonidae the substance of the polypidom is collected into a solid central axis, covered by the fleshy mass in which the polypes are imbedded. The axis is cometimes calcareous, sometimes horny; in certain casees it is formed of a series of joints united by horny rings. Many species grow in a more or less aborescent form, of which the <em>Sea-Fans</em> are an example." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Sea-fan

"In the family of the Gorgonidae the substance of the polypidom is collected into a solid central axis,…

"The main stem of the polypidom of these animals is fleshy, but is furnished with an internal bony axis, which, however, does not reach to either exlamellae, which stand out upon each side of stalk, giving the whole polypidom, in some cases, the appearance of a large quill-feather. Of this the Sea-Pen, <I>Pennatula grisea</em>, is a familiar example. There are, however, many other forms." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Sea-pen

"The main stem of the polypidom of these animals is fleshy, but is furnished with an internal bony axis,…

"These animals are generally called <em>Tree-corals</em>, on account of the forms of the polypidons which they build and in which they live. They are very small, and possess twelve short tentacles placed in a circle around the mouth; they occupy the cells in the polypidom, which is of a porus nature, the openings of the cells being placed at the summits of tubercular prominences of greater or lesser elevations. " &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Tree-coral

"These animals are generally called Tree-corals, on account of the forms of the polypidons…

"a a, expanded polypes; b b, polypes withdrawn into their cells; c c, coral uncovered by flesh, showing the cells. In this the corals usually form thick stony masses; the stony rays of the cells are exceedingly numerous, and the cells themselves penetrate deeply into the mass of coral, although they are generally partially divided by imperfect transverse partitions." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Astrae virdis

"a a, expanded polypes; b b, polypes withdrawn into their cells; c c, coral uncovered by flesh, showing…