55 



species, it will be observed, that the transverse anastomosing 

 vessels are but few, and smaller than those which proceed 

 in a perpendicular direction. In the specimen PI. 1, 

 fig. 10, reduced from PL 11, fig. 6, of Organic Remains, 

 the characteristics of the genus are more decidedly shown, 

 the intervening vessels are much more numerous, and ap- 

 proach nearly in thickness to those which they connect. 

 In other specimens depicted in the work just referred to, 

 the characters of other species may be perceived ; thus in 

 Organic Remains, vol. ii. PI. 11, fig. 3, the anastomosing is 

 formed by the oblique arrangement of the tubuli ; and in 

 fig. 7 of the same plate the same effect is produced by the 

 very frequent ramifications and inosculations of the vessels. 

 It is indeed extremely probable, from the appearance of 

 numerous imperfect specimens, that the industrious col- 

 lector will be enabled to place many more species under 

 this genus. 



The remains of this genus are almost all confined to the 

 chalk ; but in one or two specimens, appearances are ob- 

 servable which lead to the supposition that they may have 

 been deposited in some part also of the chalk marl. 



Alcyonites. — There are very few animals to which we 

 can have access in their living state, whose nature and 

 structure are so little understood as the alcyonium ; and 

 hence have arisen considerable difficulties when examining 

 them in their fossil state. The definition and descriptions 

 of M. Lamouroux, with the observations which he has made 

 on their structure, are so likely to yield useful information 

 in the examination of their fossil remains, that I feel no 

 hesitation in introducing them. 



" Alcyonium. — A polymorphous polype bearing animal, 

 formed of a fleshy animated mass, sometimes inert, some- 

 times sensible, and filled with retractile polypi which expand 

 on its surface. In the dry state this mass appears composed 

 of fibres reticulated and interlaced at the centre, radiating 



