194 HISTOllY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



1. Pennatula phosphorea, Sir Robert Sibhald. (Plate 

 XII. fig. 41.) 



Hab. In deep water. Near Aberdeen, Ellis ; Hebrides, 

 M'Aiidrew ; Zetland, Prof. Forbes ; Leitli, Dr. Coldstream ; 

 near Musselburgh, D. L., juu. ; off Saltcoats, and in Lam- 

 lash Bay, D. L. 



The names given to this zoophyte are very appropriate — 

 Cock's-comb, Sea-pen, and Sea-feather. Cock^s-comb, the 

 name given to it by fishermen, is expressive of its appear- 

 ance as to colour and substance ; Sea-feather, or Sea-pen, 

 however, is more expressive of its form, for the stem resem- 

 bles the quill, and the upper part, which bears the polypes, 

 resembles the feathery part of the pen. Lamarck says, '' II 

 semble, en effet, que la Nature, en formant ce corps animal 

 compose, ait voulu copier la forme exterieure d\me plume 

 d'oiseau.'^ 



It is generally from two to about four and a half inches 

 in length, though Dr. Fleming states that at times it is 

 eight inches long. The stem forms about half of the length. 

 It is all of a reddish colour, except the point of the stem, 

 which is yellowish, and bent a little upwards, like a shep- 

 herd's crook. The stem contains a whitish bone, which 

 seems intended to strengthen it, though it is very slender 



