Precious Coral

[Dr.C.L.McLay]

    I have a record of a crab living on "precious coral (Corallium  
sp.)" taken from around 360m off Ohau, Hawaii. I wonder if someone  
could please tell me what is meant by "precious coral" and direct me  
to some references or pictures of these corals. Please forgive what  
is probably a very elementary question from a non-coral specialist. I  
find that the books on my shelves are of little use!  

Thanks, 
Dr Colin McLay 
Zoology Department 
Canterbury University 
PB 4800, Christchurch 
New Zealand. 
Tel: +64 3 364 2887 
FAX:   +64 3 364 2024 
email: c.mclay at zool.canterbury.ac.nz 
WWW Home Page: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/zool/cm.htm