78 ZOOPHYTES. 
uninterruptedly from one polyp-centre to another. If the polyp-disks, 
therefore, should be coalescent in a plane in all directions, instead of 
in simple meandering lines, there would be no proper interstices 
between the polyps, and no cells, and the lamelle would be con- 
tinuous in every direction, from one centre to another. It hence 
appears, that the peculiarities of the Fungide consist in the absence 
of all interstices between the stars, and a uniform continuation of a 
single compound disk-surface over the whole. The process of budding, 
therefore, although seemingly like that of the Echinopore, is actually 
identical with that of the Meruline, in which buds open in the extend- 
ing disks. The compound free Fungide, the Agaricie, the Pavone, 
are equally good examples of the characters here explained. In the 
Polyphyllie, the union of adjacent polyps is so close, that there is 
not even a separate series of tentacles to each polyp-mouth, and this 
character separates these species from the allied Herpetolithi. 
79. Modes of branching. In species of Astreeide, which form cali- 
cularly-branched coralla, the disks widen and subdivision takes place 
as in the Astrea above explained, except that the subdivision con- 
tinues in progress until the two polyps are 
distinct at base, and each forms a separate 
branch. ‘The annexed figure represents the 
* whole process. On one branch, two polyp- 
mouths already exist in the enlarged disk, 
and at the extremity of the other, furcation 
has commenced; the furcation seen below, 
is an example of the subdivision completed. 
The difference between separation by this 
divergent growth, and the spontaneous fission 
of a monad, is obvious. The Musse, Eu- 
phyllie, Caulastree, grow, and bud, and 
branch, in this manner; and the process goes 
on so regularly that the zoophytes are usually 
perfect hemispheres; the size of the branches, 
their length before furcation, and the intervals 
between them, being very uniform in the same 
species. 
This mode of branching by furcation is analogous in many respects 
to that which proceeds from the growth of a budding-cluster. 
6. Branches also form by a successive accumulation of buds, nearly 
as in the Oculine. The foliaceous species result from prolate growth, 
