ALVY0N011) POLYP 8. 93 



the large and well- developed polyps, there were multitudes 

 of small wart-like prominences, each of which proved to be 

 a polyp, but very small and imperfectly developed, having 

 only two lamellne in the interior instead of the usual eight, 

 and without distinct tentacles, or the ordinary nettling cords 

 within. 



Among the other forms of Zoophytes in the Pennatula tribe 

 are those having a stout axis, with branches either side, 

 arranged regularly in plume-like style (the Pennatulidae); 

 or a very slender stem and very short lateral polyp-bearing 

 pinnules or processes along it (the Virgularidce) ; or a thin 

 reniform shape (Penillidae). Others differ from the preceding 

 in having the polyps not retractile ; and some of these have 

 a slender stem and the polyps arranged along one side of it 

 (the Pavonaridae) ; and still others a terminal cluster of polyps 

 (the Umbellularidae). 



The most of the species secrete a slender, horny axis, and 

 have slender calcareous spicules among the tissues, somewhat 

 like those of the Gorgonidae. 



In conclusion, it may here be stated that the reader 

 will find very full illustrations of most of the forms of re- 

 cent corals, and of their animals, with their natural colors, in 

 the author's Report on Zoophytes. It is with regret that he 

 has to add, that owing to the special action of the Congres- 

 sional Committee in charge of the publications of the Wilkes 

 Exploring Expedition, only one hundred copies of this Re- 

 port were published by the Government, and also of the others 

 of the series, and that but few have been issued besides. The 

 Atlas contains sixty-one folio plates, many of them colored. 



The works on " British Sea Anemones," by Mr. Philip 

 Henry Gosse, contains figures and descriptions of a large 



