194 HISTORY OP BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



1. PENNATULA PHOSPHOREA, Sir Robert Sibbald. (Plate 

 XII. fig. 41.) 



Hab. In deep water. Near Aberdeen, Ellis ; Hebrides, 

 M'Andrew ; Zetland, Prof. Forbes ; Leith, Dr. Coldstream ; 

 near Musselburgh, D. L., jun. ; off Saltcoats, and in Lam- 

 lash Bay, D. L. 



The names given to this zoophyte are very appropriate 

 Cock's-comb, Sea-pen, and Sea-feather. CockVcomb, the 

 name given to it by fishermen, is expressive of its appear- 

 ance as to colour and substance ; Sea-feather, or Sea-pen, 

 however, is more expressive of its form, for the stem resem- 

 bles the quill, and the upper part, which bears the polypes, 

 resembles the feathery part of the pen. Lamarck says, " H 

 semble, en effet, que la Nature, en formant ce corps animal 

 compose, ait voulu copier la forme exterieure d'une plume 

 d'oiseau." 



It is generally from two to about four and a half inches 

 in length, though Dr. Fleming states that at times it is 

 eight inches long. The stem forms about half of the length. 

 It is all of a reddish colour, except the point of the stem, 

 which is yellowish, and bent a little upwards, like a shep- 

 herd's crook. The stem contains a whitish bone, which 

 seems intended to strengthen it, though it is very slender 



