GORGONIN^. 



223 



numerous branches. It is arborescent when the branches and their 

 accompaniments take different directions so as to constitute tufts. 

 It is /rt:«/<r/(?^ when they arrange themselves on both sides of the stem 

 or principal branches, after the manner of the barbs of a feather. It 

 is flabelliforjn when the branches rise irregularly under the same 

 plane ; reticulated, when branches are so 

 disposed as to be attached to each other 

 by net-work in place of remaining free. 



The GorgonincB are found in every sea, 

 and always at considerable depths. They 

 are larger and more numerous between 

 the tropics than in cold or even tem- 

 perate climates. Some of them scarcely 

 attain the twelfth of an inch in height, 

 while others rise to the height of several 

 feet. 



Formed in the bosom of the ocean, it 

 is only necessary to behold these singular 

 creations in order to admire the brilliant 

 colours which decorate their semi-mem- 

 branaceous branches. The brilliancy of 

 their colours is singularly diminished, has 

 almost entirely disappeared indeed, when 

 they make their appearance in the cases 

 of our natural history collections. 



The Fan Gorgon {Gorgon iajlabellum), 

 from the Antilles (Fig. 78), is a species 

 which often attains the height of eighteen 

 or twenty inches, and nearly as much in 

 breadth. The network of its interstices, 

 with its unequal and serried meshes, resembling fine lace, have led ta 

 its designation of Sea Fan. Its colour is yellow or reddish. In 

 Fig. 79 we have a small portion of the Sea Fan magnified to twice its 

 natural size, showing the curious details of its organisation. 



The Whorled Gorgon {G. verticellata), which is found in the 

 Mediterranean, is yellowish in colour, and also of elegant form. This 

 species is represented in Fig. 80; while Fig. 81 represents a small 

 branch magnified four times, in order to give an exact idea of its 

 form. 



The Gorgons are not known to be useful either in the arts or in 

 medicine ; but they are deeply interesting as objects of study to the 

 zoologist. 



Fig. 8t. 



Gorgonia verticellata (Pallas), 



magnified four times. 



