406 POLYPI. 
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 Acti- 
nix. 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(1). 
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 Slack Coral, where the ramous and ligneous- 
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(2). 
Goreonta, 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 calcareous granules, that it dries 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 furnished with eight denticulated arms,a stomach, &c. like those 
of Corallina and Alcyonium(3). 
(1) M. Savigny has published some observations on these animals, not less inte- 
resting than those on the compound Ascidia. 
(2) 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. 
(3) Gorgonia pinnata, Gm. ;—G. americana; —G. setosa;—G. sanguinolenta, which 
Lamouroux considers as varieties of a single species;—G. petechisans, Sal. and Ell., 
XVI;—G. patula, Sol. and Ell., XV, f. 3, 4;—G@. palma, Sol. and Ell., XI;—G. 
