72 CLASS I.— ORDER 11. 



The Aglaophenias have been confounded with 

 Sertularias by all authors who have written on Poly- 

 pidoms, notwithstanding the numerous and invaria- 

 ble characters which constitute them a very distinct 

 group. 



Their small polypean lodges are sometimes placed 

 between two appendages, like a flower in its calix; at 

 other times the upper appendage is wanting, and the 

 lower one may then be compared to the bractea of an 

 axillary and sessile flower. There are some, of w^hich 

 the cells are isolated and placed at regular distances 

 from each other ; others, which by their near approach 

 form groups at each articulation. But through all 

 the species the generic character is constantly found, 

 i. e. that of having the cells on the same side of the 

 branches. 



The Aglaophenias are of a homy substance, mem- 

 branous, and flexible. 



Their colour, which is fawn, varying almost from 

 black to white, presents not, indeed, those brilliant hues 

 that adorn some of the Sertularias, or some of the 

 Corallines ; but they excel those Polypidoms in the 

 elegance of their form and in the situation of their 

 branches, arching gracefully over each other, and re- 

 sembling the waving plumes of the ostrich in their 

 divisions and general inflection. 



Their height varies from one centimetre to three 

 decimetres, or even more. 



They are found in all seas, at all depths, and in all 

 latitudes ; frequently parasites on the Thalassiophytes 

 and other marine productions ; sometimes adhering to 

 rocks by fibres more or less numerous. 



