234 ZOOPHYTES FOUND ON THE COAST OF BANFFSHIRE. 



trumpet, yet tender and inviting as the balmy zephyrs which gently fan the 

 summer's eve. Thus would I seek to create a greater love for the beauties 

 and sublimities of Nature, as exhibited in the handiwork of the Creator. 



But as these things cannot be, and trusting that the readers of The 

 Naturalist will take the will for the deed, I will now begin my list, already 

 too long deferred ; and which, I regret to say, is not quite so systematic as 

 I could have wished. 



Alcyonium digitatum, or, as it is called here, dead-men's paps, sea paps, dead- 

 men's shrouds, sea fingers, &c., is frequently brought on shore by the fisher- 

 men, in large masses attached to shells and stones. It is curious to observe 

 the strange and fantastic forms which these creatures at times assume. 

 How they are loathed, when cast on shore, by the generality of persons ! 

 But were they seen in their proper element and alive, with the beautiful leaf- 

 like tentacula of the little polyps, thousands of which compose the living 

 mass ; these feelings of disgust would soon give place to astonishment and 

 delight. Touch one of these polyps, and it instantly contracts and ceases 

 its movements, the tentacula being withdrawn ; whilst the others still 

 continue their labours, seemingly unconcious of their friend's disappearance, 

 or of the annoyance which it had experienced. But continue the irritation, 

 and all will shrink and hide themselves within their fleshy home, which is 

 itself also, and at the same time, considerably reduced in size. Watch well, 

 however, and a sight well worthy of your best attention will, in a little while, 

 greet your astonished gaze. Presently, and gradually, the Pap will be seen 

 to assume its natural size, and the surface all over appear roughish, being 

 then covered with small protuberances. From these asperities the numerous 

 polyps may now be noticed, one by one, slowly and almost imperceptibly 

 emerging; and having gained a sufficient height, their slender and fragile 

 arms, or tentacula, will also be observed cautiously expanding, which when 

 nearly fully developed, gives to the whole mass the enchanting appearance 

 of a bouquet of flowers of the richest dye, or of a gaudy-coloured wreath of 

 beautiful and delicate blossoms, combined in one cluster, and enough to 

 draw wonder and admiration even from the dullest mind. 



Alcyonium (?) A small species, generally parasitical on the stems of 



other Zoophytes and Algae. 



Alcyonidium parasiticum, as its name denotes ; but also, occasionally, on 

 shells and stones. A very dark species. 



Antennularia ramosa. Or, as it is called here, sea-beard, lobstei-'s horn 

 coralline. Frequent on old shells from deep water. It is a very pretty 

 species when fresh, or even when carefully prepared ; but it is very easily 

 soiled and broken, being very brittle when dried. A fisherman residing in 

 one of our neighbouring villages sent me, a few weeks ago, one of the best 

 and largest groups of this species which I have ever seen. It consisted of 

 four distinct specimens, attached to a large old valve of Cyprina Islandica, 



