ZOANTHUS. 225 



Genus XXVII. ZOANTHUS, Cuvier. 



Gen. Char. Polypes distant, united by a creeping root-like 

 fleshy band. — Br. JoJmston. 



1. ZoANTHUs CoucHii, R, Q. Couc/i. 



Hab. On rocks in deep water, common, Couch. 



An excellent description of this may be found at page 7'i 

 of the ' Cornish Tauna/ by Mr. E. Q. Couch, who added 

 this zoophyte, as he has done much besides, to the British 

 fauna. This, which is the only European Zocmt/ius, has 

 by Dr. Johnston been named in honour of Mr. Couch. 

 It is a small species, and composed of a number of Ac- 

 tinia united together at their bases by a thin incrusting 

 fleshy band. It is reddish, and in its contracted state re- 

 sembles a split pea. When half contracted it assumes a 

 kind of hour-glass form. It is sluggish, and, wjiether 

 expanded or contracted, continues in the same state for 

 several days. 



Eor the only specimen of it I ever >saw I am indebted to 

 the kindness of Mr. Bean, of Scarborough, from whom I 

 have also received many of the finest things my cabinet 

 contains. 



When I afterwards got Sarcodiclf/on catenata dredged in 



Q 



