ZOANTHUS. 925 
Genus XX VII. ZOANTHUS, Cuvier. 
Gen. Char. Polypes distant, united by a creeping root-like 
fleshy band.—Dr. Johnston. 
1. Zoantuus Coucuu, R. Q. Couch. 
Hab. On rocks in deep water, common, Couch. 
An excellent description of this may be found at page 73 
of the ‘Cornish Fauna,’ by Mr. R. Q. Couch, who added 
this zoophyte, as he has done much besides, to the British 
fauna. This, which is the only Kuropean Zoanthus, has 
by Dr. Johnston been named in honour of Mr. Couch. 
It is a small species, and composed of a number of Ac- 
timi@ united together at their bases by a thin incrusting 
fleshy band. It is reddish, and in its contracted state re- 
sembles a split pea. When half contracted it assumes a 
kind of hour-glass form. It is sluggish, and, wiiether 
expanded or contracted, continues in the same state for 
several days. 
For the only specimen of it I ever saw I am indebted to 
the kindness of Mr. Bean, of Scarborough, from whom I 
have also received many of the finest things my cabinet 
contains. 
When I afterwards got Sarcodictyon catenata dredged in 
Q 
