204 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



slender and cylindrical. It has eight tentacula surrounding 

 an oval disc. They are pinnate (the pinnse about twenty 

 on each side, and crenate) and retractile within a sheath, 

 the margin of which is strengthened by interlacing spicula, 

 forming triangular, bristling, tooth- like lobes, which alter- 

 nate with them. The tentacula are pale pink, and formed 

 of a granular tissue. Below the oval circle the body is 

 cylindrical, and marked by eight rose-coloured lines, and at 

 about half its height it dilates into a broad bottle-shaped 

 base, within which are seen the bright red ovaries. The 

 base gradually passes into the investing skin of the rod, of 

 which the sheath of the polype and its teeth may be re- 

 garded as an extension. 



" ^Allen irritated, the Pavonaria gives out a vivid bluish 

 light, which is brightest tow^ards the tip. The light appears 

 to come from the bases of the polypes, and to be connected 

 with the reproductive system.'^ 



Family GORGONTADiE. 



" Great Ocean ! strongest of creation's sons, 

 Unconquerable, unrcposcd, untired, 

 That roll'd the wild, profound, eternal bass 

 In Nature's anthem, and made music such 



