$6 One Thousand Objects 



filling the interior of channels and excavations in old 

 shells. Spicules pin-shaped. Very common all around 

 the coast. (PI. IX., fig. 43.) 



752. COMMON GORGONIA SvKzm.'vs^Gorgoniaverrucosd). 

 The spicules of this common Gorgonia are calcareous, 

 and of two kinds one elongated, straight, pointed at each 

 end, and rough with spines; the other bottle-shaped, spined 

 at the apex, base, and centre. (PI. IX., fig. 47.) 



753. VIOLET GORGONIA (Gorgonia anceps). Not at all 

 a common species on our coasts. The calcareous spicules 

 are similar in shape, but larger than the next, and the warts 

 are in bands round the spicules. 



754. FAN GORGONIA (Gorgonia flabelluni). Not British, 

 but often met with at natural-history dealers'. Spicules 

 calcareous, elongated and pointed at each end, covered 

 with warty projections. 



755. DEAD MAN'S FINGERS (Alcyonitim digitatutri). 

 Common on oyster and scallop shells, grey, yellow, or 

 white. Variable in shape, soft but tough; contains cal- 

 careous spicules. (PI. IX., fig. 49.) 



756. VENUS'S FLOWER-BASKET (Eiiplectella aspergittum). 

 This beautiful exotic sponge is now so common, that 

 we cannot forbear introducing it here, and calling atten* 

 tion to the structure of the threads at the base, amongst 

 which other objects are often entangled. 



757. CRUCIATE SPICULE (Alcyoncdlum sp. ?). The 

 spicule here figured was obtained entangled in the meshes 

 of a common sponge, dredged at the Orkneys ; so that 

 not only is it rare, but the sponge is unknown to which it 

 belongs. (PL IX., fig. 31.) 



758. SPICULES OF GLASS-ROPE (Hyalonema mirabilis). 

 The Glass-rope, concerning which so much discussion 

 has arisen, is encased in its basal portion by a Palythoa, 

 in which lie embedded the beautiful cruciate spicules here 

 figured. (PL IX., fig. 37.) 



759. ANCHORS OF SYNAPTA (Synapta digitatd). This 

 Holothurian is found in the British seas, and yields anchors 

 and plates such as we have figured. (PL IX., fig. 35.) 



760. ANCHORS OF SYNAPTA (Synapta inhczrens). This 



