ALCYONIUM. 41 



parts, or by a stem also round, with subordinate parts generated in its 

 ascent, all roundish and pointed ; likewise it appears with several more 

 massy subordinate parts, yet somewhat flattened, but not pointed. Far- 

 ther, with the whole parts palmate, quite thin and flat. Many grow in 

 the fashion of a minute symmetrical pear, which may be conjectured an 

 early stage, until finding what is the adult state. 



Each of these peculiar forms, besides some others, might admit sepa- 

 rate and distinct commentary, after sufficient experiment and observation. 



The whole are rooted to solid substances ; they are of a translucent, 

 semi-gelatinous aspect, of yellowish or greenish colour. Their substance 

 is rather soft and compressible, cutting like cheese or leather, and inter- 

 nally of considerable consistence. 



Two kinds may be identified as the Alcyonium gelatinosum of the 

 Linna?an system. Whether another may be the Alcyonium hirsutum of 

 Dr Fleming, and represented by Dr Johnston among the British Zoophytes, 

 Plate xlii. fig. i., I cannot positively affirm. The product is certainly 

 seen under many modifications, which leads me to speak of the latter 

 with the greater hesitation, owing to certain embarrassing discrepancies. 



Inability to obtain additional specimens at that precise moment, 

 when prone to call our own observations in question, or to consider them 

 imperfect, tends to aggravate our difficulties. 



§ 1. Alcyonium gelatinosum — Pudding Weed — Jiagaed Sea Staff'. 



Plates XII., XIII., XIV. — This zoophyte is of various shape and dimen- 

 sions ; the colour always approaching yellowish or greenish-yellow, duller 

 or brighter, or of different intensity. It appears either as a simple round 

 stem, small at the root, and enlarging upwards to the middle, from which 

 it declines to an obtuse summit ; or with a meagre distribution of subor- 

 dinate parts. A specimen of this description, eight inches high, was but 

 an eighth of an inch in diameter near the root ; and half an inch in 

 diameter above where thickest. A single protuberance rose from the 

 stem, at the distance of five inches above the base. 



Perhaps some straggling branches, tapering to obtuse extremities, 



VOL. II. F 



