Born of the imperceptible intention of thousands of tiny marine polyps, a single coral grows to join a vast undersea metropolis.  Grappling for position on the reef, each coral finds its place amongst the richest and oldest ecosystems on earth. Adorning the crowns of kings, queens and holy men from Rome to Africa and ancient Mongolia, the deep red coral or &ldquotree of blood&rdquo, served as a touchstone to the divine and a promise to its bearer, protection from evil.