218 CLASS III.— ORDER II. 



markable for their form : this character is peculiar ; 

 for although fsome of the Gorgonias equally present 

 polypous projecting cells, they are in those Polypi- 

 doins always reflected towards the stem and branches, 

 and frequently the lower branches have only simple 

 tubercles, or else their surface is completely smooth ; 

 whilst in the Euniceas the papillous cells are al- 

 ways straight, and of the same length through the 

 whole extent of the Polypidom ; moreover, their sub- 

 stance, as well as'.their appearance, dificr so materially, 

 that it is impossible to mistake the Gorgonia for the 

 Eunicea. 



The rind of these Polypidoms appears organised 

 like that of the Plexauras; it resembles their envelope 

 in its thickness, its consistence, and the very apparent 

 intermediate membrane between the axe and the fleshy 

 exterior, as well as in the colour. As far, however, as 

 we can form any judgment from beings no longer in 

 existence, a long time dried, and frequently defaced, 

 the polypi seem to be difierent. It appears as if, 

 their body being less retractile, the deficiency were 

 supplied by tentacula of greater length than those 

 belonging to the Gorgonia ; and it seems as if the ani- 

 mal itself must be of considerable extent to fill up that 

 cavity in the rind which we have always imagined to 

 be a cell ; none of the Gorgonias exhibit such an extent. 

 The tentacula of the polypi belonging to the Eu- 

 niceas, of a cylindrical form and pointed in the 

 state of desiccation, seem to be numerous, and wrap 

 over each other apparently without regularity, but 

 cannot wholly enter the interior of the cell. 



The Euniceas vary little in their form ; they are 



