402 Mr. Gıpzon MaurzEzrv's Description 
Atcyonium CHONOIDES*. 
Funnel-like Alcyonium. 
Char. Gen. Animal plantiforme, carnosum, gelatinosum, spon- 
giosum, vel coriaceum, cellulis vel tubulis repletum. Super- 
ficies poris seu osculis bydras tentaculatas oviparas exserenti- 
bus, pertusa. Stirps fixa. | | 
Cuar. Spec. A.infundibuliforme, superficie interiore tubulorum 
extremitates apertas exteriore fibras reticulatas exhibente. 
From an attentive examination of the mineralized remains of 
the Alcyonium, it is certain that the recent animal possessed great 
powers of contraction and expansion, which enabled it to assume 
various dissimilar forms. Ina quiescent state it was more or less 
funnel-like, when partly expanded cyathiform, and: when com- 
pletely dilated it presented the figure of a broad circular disk. 
To this versatility of shape is to be attributed the great diversity 
of appearance observable in its reliquize, whose forms must have 
been derived from the contracted or expanded state of the origi- 
nal at the period of its introduction into the mineral kingdom. 
Without the knowledge of this fact, fossils originating from the 
same prototype are liable to be considered as distinct species, 
since it is by the possession of numerous specimens only that the 
true character of this zoophyte can be ascertained. 
That the animal enjoyed the powers of contraction and ex- - 
pansion above ascribed to it, will appear evident from an inves- 
tigation of its structure. The epidermis, or external coat, is 
composed of fasciculi of muscular fibres, which, arising from 
the pedicle, proceed in a radiated manner toward the circumfe- 
rence, and, by frequently anastomosing, constitute a retiform 
* à xww, infundibulum, 
plexus 
