(Fr. corail; Gr. κοράλλιον), is a marine production bearing a resemblance to the branch of a tree, which always grows to the under surface of rocks, and projects perpendicularly downwards. It consists of the united story cells or habitations of certain minute animals (polyparia), whose fleshy parts surround a branching hard and stony centre, which is the coral of commerce. Coral is found abundantly in many parts of the Mediterranean, the Red and Chinese seas, and in the Persian Gulf. The coral branches require about twelve years to attain the length of ten or twelve inches, and the thickness requisite to fit them for cutting into beads for necklaces or other ornaments. On this account, in prosecuting the coral fishing, the fishermen endeavour not to disturb the same ground for that period of time. The mode of obtaining the coral is by drawing among the rocks where the coral grows a heavy cross of wood, which is weighted with stones, and has its projecting extremities furnished with loosely twisted hemp or coarse nettings. The wood in rubbing along the under surface of the rocks breaks off the coral branches, which get entangled in the netting, and are drawn to the surface. Coral is of various colours, from black or bright red to a dull white, and according to its colour, size, and hardness, greatly varies in price.