SEA-FAN MAKERS. 



185 



by the animals in the cortex, or bark, of the sea-fans. 

 They are called " spicules " because they are not- 

 amorphous or crude granules, but beautifully sym- 

 metrical shapes of a certain definite type, sometimes 



FIG. 35. GORGONIA, OR SF.A-FAN. 



white, but usually yellow, scarlet, crimson, violet, 

 purple, or, in fact, of the same colour as the sea-fan 

 itself, for it is to these coloured spicules that the cha- 

 racteristic colour of the Gorgonia is due. Sometimes 

 the spicules are shaped like a cross, sometimes like a 



