196 NATURAL HISTOEY OP 



2. A. GLOMEEATUM. 



A. sanguineum {R. Q. C). 



Hab. : Dublin Bay (Hassall), Cornwall (Couch), Salt- 

 coatSj Cumbries (D.L.). 



The species is rare, and differs from the preceding 

 in colour, being light red. The spicules are more or 

 less " K " shaped. 



FAMILY II. GORGONIDyE. 



GrENUS GORGONIOM. 



Polyp-mass rooted, arborescent, consisting of a 

 central horny axis, with a polypiferous crust when 

 living, soft and fleshy, but porous and friable when 

 dried. — Johnston. 



1. G. VEERucosA, Cole. Plate XV., fig. 5. 

 G. viminalis (Sowerhy). 



Hab. : Plentiful on the South Coast. Height 1 foot 

 by 16 in. broad. 



This species has been called the " Sea Fan/^ the 

 " Sea Fern," and the " Sea Heath.^^ The axis is black 

 and smooth, with a white pith. When alive the crust 

 is fleshy and flesh-coloured, becoming whiter and friable 

 when dried. 



Ellis, who found it on the east of Cornwall, states 

 that " the outside of it is covered with a crust, full of 

 little lumps like warts, which, when dissolved in vinegar, 

 discover the contracted bodies of polyps with 8 claws.'*' 



In appearance it is stout and fan-shaped. 



2. G. PiNNATA, Forbes. 

 Hab. : Skye (Forhes). 



" When taken alive it was of a cream- white colour. 

 The polyps are white, with 8 dull white granular 



