194 THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. 



The poly pier of the gorgonidoB is very variously 

 formed in the different species. Sometimes the 

 branches are almost straight, as in the whorled 

 gorgon ; sometimes they cross and interlace in a 

 thousand ways, and give to the polypier the aspect 

 of network, more or less close. 



The fan-gorgon is a remarkable example of this. 

 The enlarged extremity of its principal stem, denuded 

 of its living crust, is attached to the rock. From 

 this stem spring many hard and naked branches, 

 which, intei'secting one with another, pass into a net- 

 work in which the polypi live. 



In size the gorgonidae range between two very 

 distant limits. The smallest that has been studied 

 may be less than an inch in height ; others reach 

 many feet. Some fragments have been seen by the 

 writer, which show that the entire individual was of 

 still more considerable dimensions. 



These animals live at a great depth, and inhabit 

 every sea. The fan-gorgon is more generally dis- 

 tributed than any other. They most abound in the 

 warmer waters, as is the case with other species of 

 polyps. 



