CORALLIFERI. 443 
FAMILY III. 
CORTICATI. 
This family comprises genera in which all the Polypi are connected 
by a common, thick, fleshy or gelatinous substance, in the cavities of 
which they are received, and which envelopes an axis varying in form 
and substance. The Polypi of those that have been observed are 
somewhat more complex than the preceding ones, and approximate 
more closely to the Actiniz. Internally we observe a stomach from 
which eight intestines originate, two that are prolonged into the 
common mass, and two that are shorter, and seem to supply the place 
of ovaries*. 
They are subdivided into four tribes. 
In the first, that of the 
CERATOPHYTA, 
The internal axis has the appearance of wood or horn, and is fixed. 
Two genera of them are known, and both extremely numerous. 
ANTIPATHES, Lin., 
Commonly termed Black Coral, where the ramous and ligenous-like 
substance of the axis is enveloped with a bark so soft, that it becomes 
destroyed after death, when it resembles branches of dry wood f. 
GorGontia, L., 
Where, on the contrary, this horny or ligneous substance of the axis 
is enveloped by a bark the thickness of which is so penetrated by cal- 
careous granules, that itdries on the axis, retaining its colours, which 
are frequently extremely vivid and beautiful; it is soluble in acids. 
The Polypi of several species have been observed; each one is fur- 
nished with eight denticulated arms, a stomach, &c. like those of 
Corallina and Alcyonium f. 
M. Lamouroux separates from them 
* M. Savigny has published some observations on these animais, not less inte- 
resting than those on the compound Ascidia. 
+ Ant. spiralis, Sol. and Ell., pl. XIX, f. 1, 6; and the other species indicated by 
Lamarck, Anim. sans Vert., II, p. 305, et seq. 
+ Gorgonia pinnata, Gm.;—G. anericana;—G. setosa ;—G. sanguinolenta, which 
Lamouroux considers as varieties of a single species ;—G. petechisans, Sal. and Ell, 
XVI ;—G. patula, So). and Ell., XV, f. 3, 4;—G. palma, Sol. and Ell., XI;—G. ver- 
riculata, 1d. XVII;—G. umbraculum, 1d., X;—G. exserta, Id., XV, 1, 2;—G. cera- 
tophyta, Id., I1, 1,2, 3; IX, 5, 6, 7,8; XII, 2, 3; G. viminalis, Id., XII, 1;—G. 
verticillaris, Id., 1], 4, 5;—G. Briareus, Id., STV, 1, 2, &e. 
GG@2 
