SEA-FANS. 



299 



them, so that they soon die. In the' " fan " gorgonia 



* o o 



(G '. flabellutn) the branches run into each other, so as to 



Fig. 230. 



his hippuris x 5 (vertical section), showing flesh, with zoophytes 

 investing internal horny axis, a, external appearance. 



unite. In Fig. 232, we give a slightly magnified illus- 

 tration of part of one of the branches. The circular 

 pits, one in the common flesh (Caznosarc) which invests 

 the skeleton, and one occupied by the individual 

 polypes. All the British species of this interesting 

 order are exceedingly pretty ; although not to be 

 compared with the gorgeous appearance of the sea- 



