POLYPI. RADIATA. ACTINIA. 349 



yellowish mass at the centre. It may be well likened to a cupping- 

 glass or the receiver of an air-pump. Found in April ; rare. 



STOMOBRA'CHIUM LENTICULA'RE ? BRANDT; Schirmquallen, 122, 

 tab. 3, f. 6, 7. 



A slightly convex animal, about the size of a dime, distinguished 

 by its four stomachs, which extend nearly across the animal, 

 forming a cross resembling the fans of a windmill. Its border is 

 fringed all around. Found with the preceding. 



ALCY'NOE VERMICULA'RIS, RANG, j Griffith's Cuv., xii. pi. 4, f. 5. 

 A few specimens found in May. 



BE'ROE (CYDI V PPE) PI'LEUS, MULL. BLAINV.; Actin.,U9, pl.8,f.t. 

 A most interesting globular animal, having eight ciliated ribs, 

 and two very long, white threads issuing from it. 



POLYPI. 



To the Polypi the name of zoophytes or animal plants more 

 properly belongs. They have a central mouth, around which are 

 arranged thread-like tentacula, which, when expanded, present a 

 close resemblance to various flowers and plants. A few of them 

 are large and solitary ; but most of them are very minute, and 

 nearly all of them produce structures of a horny or stony firmness, 

 on which they dwell in communities. There are a few small 

 corals inhabiting our waters ; but the coralline structures which 

 we find, are generally spread out in a thin coating upon shells, 

 marine plants, &c. They usually present a honey-comb appear- 

 ance, and are beautiful objects for the microscope. Other struc- 

 tures resemble miniature trees ; and many of the objects found 

 on the sea-shore and supposed to be sea-weeds, are of animal 

 origin. They have as yet attracted but little observation in this 

 country. 



AcTl'NIA MARGINA V TA, LESUEUR; Journ. AcaA. Nat. Sc , i. 172. 



The Sea-anemone is found in still water, adhering to rocks, 

 timbers, &c. This species is the only one I have found. It is 



