106 CLASS II.— ORDER I. 



There are no Polypidoms in existence which bear 

 so strong a resemblance to certain lichens, as the Lia- 

 goras, whether in their form, their appearance, or 

 their colour; indeed the similarity is so striking 

 that previous to the result of recent observations 

 which have fixed their rank among animal existence, 

 our most learned botanists classed them with the 

 Fuci. 



The Liagoras difi'er from the Sertularias, in the total 

 absence of anv cells ; from the Corallinas, in their want 

 of articulations ; and from the genus Tubularia, in the 

 flaccidity and opacity of the sides of their almost fis- 

 tular branches ; but they belong to our present order 

 from the situation of the Polypi, which are placed at 

 the summit of their branches and divisions. 



Their substance is membranous, sometimes slightly 

 covered with a cretaceous coating, which is either uni- 

 ted in a crust, or friable. The surface has frequently 

 the appearance of being wrinkled, from the drying of 

 the Polypi contained in the interior of the branch. 

 In the living state, this surface is even, and sur- 

 rounded by a gelatinous matter, doubtless of an animal 

 nature, which becomes earthy by desiccation. 



The Liagoras in their colour present the most deli- 

 cate of tints, blending most pleasingly together : some 

 of them are white ; some inclining to red, others yel- 

 low, or green, and sometimes violet ; one individual 

 has sometimes been found to possess all these hues ; 

 but they are very fugitive. 



The Liagoras are not rare in the equatorial or 

 temperate regions, particularly in the Mediterranean ; 



