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FAMILY I.— CAPNEADAE 
The members of this Family do not, at any period of 
their existence, so far as is known, deposit a corallum, or 
any trace of calcareous matter. They are, moreover, per- 
manently simple ; for though there is reason to believe that 
they increase by budding, the polypes so fonned quickly 
sever their connexion with the parent, and become inde- 
pendent though associated individuals. Thus they are 
essentially Anemones, such as we have already considered ; 
yet there is something in their aspect which at once 
betokens their affinity with the Corals. In particular, the 
tentacles have the singular structure and knobbed form 
ab-eady noticed as peculiar to this tribe : and, contrary to 
the universal rule in the Astrceacea, they increase in size 
outwardly, — the outer row containing the largest. 
The body, adherent by a broad base, is fleshy or pulpy, 
copiously lubricated with mucus, and sometimes separating 
the outer skin into a deciduous epidermis. The surface is 
not furnished with suckers, nor pierced with loopholes. 
There are no acontia, but the craspeda are numerous and 
large, and their contained cnidcB are remarkably developed. 
ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA. 
Tentacles truncate 
Tentacles crowned with bilobed heads 
Tentacles crowned with globose heads 
Capnea. 
A weliania, 
Corynactis. 
