94 



G O R G O N I A. 



rupes late explanata^ from a broad bafe that is fpread 

 came interne fubalbida upon rocks. The flehh is of a 

 externe cinerea, polypis 

 majoribus oElotentaculatis 

 cirratis, ojfje ex aciculis 

 <vitreis purpureis inordi- 

 nate Jed longitudinaliter 

 compaffis compofito. 



whitiih color within, and a 

 pale aih color without, fur- 

 nifhed with large polypes, 

 that have each eight fringed 

 claws, and come out on the 



nr 



furface in a quincunx order. 

 The bone, or hard inward 

 part, confifls of a number of 

 little purple, glafiy needles, 

 irregularly but clofely put to- 

 gether lengthways. 



Tab. 14. Fig. i. 2. 



This foft Coral has been reckoned by fome authors 

 an Alcyonium. But having received many elegant fpe- 

 cimens of it, well preferved in fpirits, from the Earl of 

 flillfborough, which were collected by Mr. Greg in the 

 Weft Indies ; they have afforded me an opportunity oi 

 placing it with its proper genus. 



The firm purple glafiy infide appears fo diflincl: from 

 the pale white flefby part on the outfide, that as ioon as I 

 had difcovercd this, I did not heiitate to remove it to 

 its proper genus : befides, the ftems being the largeft in 

 diameter of all this genus clearly explain to vis, what 

 we are obliged in the other fpecies to make ufe of 

 magnifying glafles to difcover, particularly the various 

 veffels of the organical parts that ferve to extend and con- 

 trad: the polype-like fuckers, which fupply the animal 

 with proper nourifhment for its fupport and further ex- 

 tenfion. One thing is remarkable in the more folid or 

 bony part of this animal, that we may eafily diftinguifh. 



certain 



