16 JONES ON NATURAL HISTORY OF THE KERMUDAS. 



Gen. Plexaura. 



Plexaura crassa, Lamour. 



The bark of this species on being dried becomes very fiiable, 

 and falls off whenever the specimen is handled. The well- 

 known " sea rods " which are made by the colored people, and 

 sold for riding whips, are mannfactnred from the horny and 

 flexible stems of this species, which are laced together and 

 highly polished. 



Plexaura Jiexuosa, Lx. 



This handsome species which is named the " sea feather " or 

 ■" prince's plnme " from its resemblance in situ to a [jlume of 

 feathers waving with the motion of the water, is not uncommon. 

 The bark when the specimen is dried is much more tenacious 

 than that of the latter species, as some examples which I have 

 had in my collection for seven years are now as iirm and fresh 

 to all appearance, as they were when I collected them. It 

 makes a good barometer, becoming moist before rainy weather, 

 and dry when fine "weather is to succeed. The footing which 

 all the gorgonioe have upon the reef rocks must be very firm, 

 for the strain which takes place when the long branches are 

 dashed about by the waves in stormy weather is enough to tear 

 away every object off the reefs. 



Gen. Pterogorgia. 



Pterogorgia Americana^ Ehr. 



This species is found in the same situations as the latter. 

 Its stems are more robust than those of the other species, and 

 the root is generally very firmly fixed to the reef rock. The 

 back in dried specimens becomes very friable. 



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