262 ZOOPHYTES. 



Then there are, in our seas, the Sea-pens, 

 shaped so much like our writing implements, that 

 if our fishermen brought them up from the mud 

 in which they are sticking, the reader would at 

 once recognise them. There is but one British 

 species known, and this the fishermen call the Cox- 

 comb, for it has a broader expansion than some 

 other kinds, and consequently has a less perfect 

 resemblance than some others to the feathered 

 part of a quill. The Phosphorescent Sea-pen. 

 (Pennatula pkosphorea) is about three or four inches 

 long, of a purplish red colour, tapering, and naked 

 at the lower end, and feathered about half-way 

 down, with closely set pinnae. Here, along the 

 margins, are placed the polype cells, and hence 

 may be seen their clear white arms, eight in 

 number, protruding themselves, in search of prey. 

 The pinnae are curved backwards, and move up 

 and down, sometimes altogether, sometimes with 

 separate motion, so that this zoophyte has been 

 said by some zoologists to have the same oar-like 

 motion as that given to fishes by their fins. This 

 lovely object is remarkably phosphorescent, as 

 are all the species of Pennutalidce. It appears to 

 be luminous when it chooses, and apparently only 

 emits its light when under some irritation. Dr. 

 Johnston calls the zoophytes "Will-o'-the-wisps 

 of the sea, put out to frighten feeble assailants." 

 When plunged in fresh water, this beautiful sea- 

 pen scatters sparks in all directions. 



The Virgularia, which the fishermen call Sea- 

 rush (Virgularia mirabilis}, is a less frequent 

 marine production, but is found on the eastern and 

 north-eastern shores of Scotland, as well as on 

 some other parts of our coasts. It varies in length 



