ALOYONIUM. 43 



§ 2 Alcyonium (palmatum). — Plates XV., XVII. — I do not pre- 

 tend, hoc statu, to constitute this a distinct species, though unable to 

 identify it with any of those which I have seen described. There are per- 

 plexing anomalies continually occurring among the varieties falling under 

 inspection, which nothing but time, patience, and opportunity, can explain. 



The present subject tends more to a foliaceous formation than the 

 rest of the genus. It rises about six inches high, by a very short stem. 

 and diverges into an indefinite number of subordinate parts, of similar 

 character. These are scarcely an eighth of an inch thick when recent ; 

 and, when dried, as thin as writing paper. The leaf, if it may be so called, 

 is broad in proportion to the height ; and a disposition of the parts towards 

 dichotomous is sensible. The expansion of such specimens is usually 

 about four inches ; their colour yellowish or greenish. 



Low papillae cover the surface wherein the hydrae dwell, and there 

 they remain after they retreat from issuing forth to display a complement 

 of about twelve tentacula. — Plate XV. 



Besides the preceding Alcyonia, which vegetate in more definite 

 shapes, some of smaller dimensions are frequently recovered from the sea, 

 whose form is less regular and compact. They either do not preserve the 

 same figure in their growth, or are not enlarged with age. 



A specimen once occurred which may be a variety of the Alcyonium 

 qelatinosum, but I had not sufficient opportunity for strict and permanent 

 investigation. This specimen rose nearly three inches and a half in height, 

 from a narrow basis, founded on a valve of the Cardium echinatum. Its 

 figure was extremely irregular, consisting, as it were, of several promi- 

 nences throughout, the summit terminating obtusely. Though not round, 

 it might have been contained in a cylinder an inch and a quarter in dia- 

 meter. This aggregate of roundish pieces, was wholly of dingy white. 

 After remaining a fortnight in my possession, some hydra?, bearing a gene- 

 ral resemblance to those of the genus, appeared from the surface, but 

 retreated before they could be subjected to the microscope : and, notwith- 

 standing their presenting themselves once or twice again, it was too 

 transiently to admit of the necessary inspection. — Plate XVI. A larger 



