ORDER ACTINOIDEA. 59 
structure in the two cases. The germinating power required is, 
therefore, similar, and might be expected to belong to the same 
reproductive organs. It hence appears, that while the margins of 
the ovarian lamelle develope ovules, the inner portions often develope 
buds. Milne Edwards farther states, that the side of a visceral 
cavity which gives out buds, does not produce ovules within. The 
formation and growth of the bud absorbs, for the time, the general 
reproductive powers of that part of the parent-polyp. 
The disk-buds, like the lateral, probably proceed from one of the 
same lamelle, and they differ from the latter principally in the posi- 
tion of the budding-point, which is immediately below the disk, 
instead of from an inferior /ateral origin. 
2. INFLUENCE OF THE PosITION AND CHARACTER OF THE Bups, AND 
Mops or GrowTH, oN THE ReEsuttTinc Forms or Zoopuytes. In the 
exposition of this interesting subject, it is important in the first place 
that some idea be given of the various forms which zoophytes assume. 
We shall next consider how far modes of growth influence these forms, 
and then to what extent they depend upon the additional function of 
gemmation, and proceed from the positions, character, or periodicity 
of buds. 
A. Forms or Actinoip ZooPpHuytes. 
55. Many of the various shapes which these zoophytes assume, 
are familiarly known. Madrepore shrubs and trees, and the sea-fan 
and other Gorgonie, from the West and East Indies, are common 
in collections. The hemispheres of brain-coral (Meandrina), and 
also of star-coral (Astrea), are often met with. It is very generally 
supposed, that these are by far the most frequent, if not the only 
shapes presented ; but, on the contrary, the varieties are extremely 
numerous, as we have already intimated. Some species grow up in 
the form of large leaves rolled around one another like an open cab- 
bage, and cabbage-coral would be no inapt designation for such 
species. Another foliated kind consists of leaves more crisped and 
of more delicate texture, irregularly clustered ;—/ettuce-coral would 
be a significant name. Hach leaf has a surface covered with polyp- 
flowers, and was formed by the growth and secretion of these polyps. 
Clustered leaves of the acanthus and oak, are at once cailed to mind 
by other species; a sprouting asparagus-bed by others. The mush- 
room is here imitated in very many of its fantastic shapes, and other 
fungi, with mosses and lichens, add to the variety. 
The vases of flowers, to which allusion is made on a preceding 
