SEA-FANS. 



299 



them, so that they soon die. In the " fan " gorgonia 

 (G.flabelluni) the branches run into each other, so as to 



Fig. 230. 



his hippuris X 5 (vertical section), showing flesh, with zoophytes 

 investing internal horny axis, a, external appearance. 



unite. In Fig. 232, we give a slightly magnified illus- 

 tration of part of one of the branches. The circular 

 pits, one in the common flesh (Ccenosarc] which invests 

 the skeleton, and one occupied by the individual 

 polypes. All the British species of this interesting 

 order are exceedingly pretty ; although not to be 

 compared with the gorgeous appearance of the 



