220 



THE OCEAN WORLD. 



of the polyps. The tissue of these singular beings is of an intensely 

 red colour. The disposition of their tubes in the style of organ pipes 

 has always attracted the attention of the curious inquirer into the 

 secrets of Nature. 





^"^ 



A 



m '•%-: yW'^--. H.cU) 



Fig. 78, — The Sea Fan, Gorgonia flabellum (Linn). 



II. GORGONID/E. 



Milne-Edwards divides this order into three natural groups : — 

 I. The Gorgo7iin(e. II. The Isidince. III. The Corallince. 



The GorgonincR are composed of two substances : the one external, 

 sometimes gelatinous ; sometimes, on the contrary, cretaceous, fleshy, 

 and more or less tenacious. Animated with life, this membrane is 

 irritable, and encloses the polyp ; it becomes friable, and often peels 

 off like bark in drying. The second substance, internal and central, 



