40 ZOOPHYTES. 



CHAPTER III. 



ALCYONIUM. 



Plates XII., XIII., XIV., XV., XVI., XVII.— The same disposition 

 lias been shewn by later naturalists for dismembering the genus Alcyonium 

 of their predecessors, as for subdividing other zoophytic genera. There was 

 ample room for it indeed, as many species, evidently of different genera, 

 were incongruously associated. It is a common infirmity among men, 

 however, to conclude, that the last age of science and the arts belongs to 

 their own era, and to those subjects receiving their own notice. Thence, 

 from the love of improvement, little is left of what has gone before. Thus 

 a very small portion of the original stock constitutes the modern geuus 

 Alcyonium. 



Here I think it better to retain this name, as the earlier which was 

 bestowed on the subject of the present chapter, preferring it to Alcyoui- 

 dium as proposed, especially from the probability that farther subdivision 

 may be expedient ultimately. 



But I am not so versant in the peculiar history of each species of the 

 Alcyonium, as to appropriate the various properties pertaining to it with- 

 out some farther investigation. Therefore I must speak more generally 

 and provisionally of the genus, and of those parts of it falling under my 

 view, than precisely and positively. Future opportunity may admit many 

 explanations. Plurality of figures accompanying description will always 

 enable other naturalists to determine whether the author is right or wrong, 

 and where the deficiencies to be supplied. 



The Alcyonium occurs of very different form and aspect. The prin- 

 cipal shape wherein I have seen it under various modifications, has been 

 a simple, elongated, round stem, rising some inches without subordinate 



