ANTHOZOA ASTEROID A. 139 



recognize the relationship between the genera or famihes.* 

 Pallas also tells us that his Pennatula cynomorium dilFers from 

 the Alcyonium only in this, that the former is a moveable, and 

 the latter a fixed polypidom ; and he saw with equal clear- 

 ness the connection which exists between these genera and 

 the shrub-like Gorgonia. Of the Pennatula mirabilis he had 

 entertained doubts whether it was not rather a species of Gor- 

 gonia until he perceived that the stem was attenuated at each 

 end and free ; and of the Sea-Pens generally, Ellis remarks, 

 that they are "a genus of zoophytes not far removed from the 

 Gorgonias, on account of their polype mouths, as well as hav- 

 ing a bone in the inside, and flesh without.^' On the other 

 hand, the Gorgoniee, says Pallas, seem, with the exception of 

 their horny skeleton, to be nearly similar in structure to the 

 Alcyonia ; but as there are species of Gorgonia which are 

 suberose internally and almost of a uniform medullary consist- 

 ence, even this mark of distinction fails to separate the tribes, 

 and we have little left to guide us in arranging these osculant 

 species excepting their external habit, or, if we may so express 

 ourselves, their physiognomy. Gorgonia Briareus has been 

 described by some authors as an Alcyonium ; and Pallas 

 would have enumerated the Gorgonia radicata in the same 

 genus, had not its gorgon-like habit interfered. I am satisfied 

 that no zoophytologist can examine Ellis''s figure and descrip- 

 tion of Gorgonia suberosa without being convinced that it per- 

 tains rather to the congenerous family, or holds at least very 

 debateable ground between them. 



The names which the fishermen have conferred on the poly- 

 pidoms of this order will convey to the student a better idea 

 of their general appearances than any laboured description. 

 The Pennatulse in their language are Sea-Pens ; the Virgula- 

 rise are Sea- Rushes ; Sea-Paps, Deadman's hand or Deadman*'s 

 toes, if not agreeable, are yet expressive names for the Alcyo- 

 nia ; and the Gorgonise are Sea-Shrubs when they branch 



* " Pennatulee Alcyoniis specierum gradatione ita propinqtise sunt, et tamen simul 

 structura, habitu, vitaeque sensitivse gradu discrepant, ut exempliim majoris simul 

 affinitatis et discordantiae inter duo genera in rerum natiira vix dari existimem. 

 Certo respectu Pennatulae ad Alcyonia sunt, quod PIydr» ad Sertularias." Elench. 

 p. 362. — In relation to this paragraph, consult also p. 370, 343, 162, 191 ; and 

 Misc. Zool. p. 177. 



