57 



warts which are so thickly distributed over the crust, are the 

 situations of the polype cells, in which the polypes lie con- 

 cealed beneath the surface. 'i'he depressions, which are 

 star-sh«ped, have always eight rays ; but a portion of the 

 circumference of each star, is frequently encroached on for 

 about a fifth of its extent, by a large fleshy lip; this is the 

 case as frequently in one variety as the other. 



The varieties may be considered the two above refered 

 to ; but there are specimens of such a mixed character that 

 they may be refered to either one or the other with equal 

 propriety. The G. Viminalis is stouter than the other, more 

 robust, less branched and more fan-shaped, and grows in 

 deep water from six to ten leagues from the shore. The G. 

 Verrucosa is more slender, more and irregularly branched, 

 spreading laterally from the fan like plane, and grows nearer 

 the shore and off" the head lands. From these circnmstances, 

 it appears probable that the variations depend ou the local- 

 ities in which they grow. Those near the shore, being dis- 

 turbed by a variety of currents become bushy, while those 

 from deep water distant from the shore, being subject to the 

 two currents of ebb and flow, acting in parallel lines, assume 

 the fan-shape. 



The branches are frequently infested with various coral- 

 lines, the Pimnularice^ Scrtutarice, Alcyoniiim, Sfc; Lepadcs, 

 especially the L. Scalpeilum; and are liable to globular ex- 

 crescences, which are found to be composed of, the fleshy 

 crust, and the horny membrane which invests the axis, which 

 is raised and in connection with the crust, leaving the axis 

 bare, forming a cavity which is frequently partially filled 

 with a whitish medullary matter; this has been mentioned 

 before in the introductory observations to this order, to which 

 the reader is refered for further information. 



This species is among the commonest on our coast ; from 

 Plymoutli Sound to the Land's end and the Irish sea, it is to 

 be found at almost all depths. 



VENUS' FAN. G. Flabellum. This species grows in the 

 form of a fan of net woik, with its branches compressed ; 

 the flesh is yellow, sometimes purple or brown, with small 

 mouths placed irregularly, havmg polypes with eight ten- 

 tacules ; the bone is black, horny and slightly striated on 

 the large branches. 



Flabellum Veneris, Ellis' Coral., p. 61, pi. 2G, fig. A. 

 Borlase's Nat. Hist. Corn,, p. 238. Turton's Lin,, vol. 4, 

 p. 051, Fleming's Brit. An., p. 511. Johnston's Brit. 

 Zooph., p. 185, vignette no. 19, p. 161. 



The only authority for making this Cornish is Dr. Borlase, 

 who at page 238 of his Natural History sajs, "It was 



