16 



At first, the young polypi have only a narrow base of attachment, 

 and we find only in larger ones that the stem spreads into a wide 

 flat base, by which it is attached to the ground. The mode of devel- 

 opment of this base might also be easily ascertained by a series of 

 specimens carefully collected for that purpose, and placed side by 

 side, to see the changes in the development. It is to be hoped that 

 some intelligent young naturalist at the South will supply the 

 deficiency of these observations, gathered during a hurried excursion. 

 Whether this species occurs in other parts of the ocean beyond 

 the limits' of the United States, is a point which I am unable to 

 determine. It may be that the indications of other localities in 

 which Gorgonia virgulata is said to occur are either incorrect or have 

 reference to closely allied representative species growing in other 

 parts of the world. 



