84 CLASS II. 



T. xxvi.) The species are very numerous, and many might perhaps 

 by closer investigation be better denned. LAMOUROUX and EHREN- 

 BERG have formed different genera, which by the last especially have 

 been distinguished by the arrangement of the Polyps. 



Subgeiiera : Prymnoa LAMOUR., EHRENB. Muricea LAMOUR., 

 EHRENB. Eunicea LAMOUR., EHRENB. Plexaura LAMOUR., EHRENB., 

 Gorgonia LAMOUR., EHRENB., Pterogorgia EHRENB. A new genus 

 Bebryce PHILIPPI appears to be distinguished by non-retractile 

 Polyps. 



Sp. Gorgonmjldbellwn~L., ELL. Corall. PI. xxvi. fig. A 0. Sea-fan, Mermaid's 

 fan, in different seas. 



Antipathes PALL. ( Gorgonice Spec. L.) Stem with axis horny, 

 distinct, covered usually with minute spines, with bark polypiferous, 

 gelatinous, deciduous. 



Sea-shrub. The bark which is gelatinous, not calcareous or 

 fibrous, is missing in specimens taken from the sea : hence, when 

 preserved in collections, they resemble branches of dead wood. 



EHRENBERG thinks Antipathes ought not to be joined to Gorgonia, 

 and that it probably belongs to the Bryozoa. He refers to later 

 communications, which have not yet, as far as I know, been pub- 

 lished. (Die Corallenthiere des rothen Meeres, s. 113 in a note.) 

 MILNE EDWARDS does not hold this opinion, LAMARCK Hist. nat. 

 des Ani. s. v. n. p. 684. According to GRAY the Polyps of Anti- 

 patJieSj which he investigated in a specimen referred by him to 

 Ant. dichotoma PALL, have six arms, but, with the exception of 

 this strange anomaly, agree with those of Gorgonia. Proceedings of 

 the Zool Soc. of London. 1832. p. 41, 42. 



Sp. Antipathes spiralis PALL., ESPER PftanzentJi. Antip. Tab. vin., PALLAS 

 Plantdieren by BODDAERT, Tab. vi. fig. 5. Antipath. myriophytta PALL., 

 ESPER 1. 1. Tab. x, GUERIN Iconogr. Zoophyt. PI. xxm. fig. i. &c. 



ORDER III. 



Poly actinia (Zoocorallia poly actinia, Phytocorallia poly actinia, 

 and Phytocorallia dodecactinia EHRENBERG). 



Polyps with twelve or more non-pinnate tentacles, simple or 

 aggregate. Nutrient canal suspended in the cavity of the body, by 

 means of lamellae forming partitions. Aperture of the nutrient 

 canal single, external, supplying the office of mouth and of anus. 



