MADREPORES. 177 
but in every case they were unconnected with each other. Other 
rays soon make their appearance between those first formed; they 
are mere calcareous specks at first, but afterwards increase in size, 
The first union of rays is observed as a small calcareous rim at the 
base of the polyp, which afterwards increases in height and diameter 
with the age of the animal.” 
The animals of this interesting polypidom are vividly described 
by Dr. Coldstream, in a communication to Dr. Johnston, as he 
observed them at Torquay :— 
“When the soft parts are fully expanded,” he says, “ the appear- 
Fig. 61.—Flabellum pavonium (Lesson), 
x. Seen from the side. 2. Upper surface, with its plates and median furrow. 
3. Animal, with tentacles expanded. 
ance of the whole animal closely resembles an actinia. When shrunk, 
they are almost entirely hid amongst the radiating plates. They are 
found pendent,” he adds, “from large boulders of sandstone, just at 
low-water mark. Sometimes they are dredged from the middle of 
the bay. Their colour varies considerably. I have seen the soft 
parts white, yellowish, orange-brown, reddish; and of a fine apple- 
green, The tentacula are usually paler.” _ 
Species of this genus are sometimes dredged from great depths ; 
Professor Travers dredged one in eighty fathoms, and Dr. Johnston 
remarks that the’ existence of an animal so vividly coloured at so 
great a depth is worthy of remark. “When taken,” says the pro- 
fessor, “the animal was scarcely visible, being contracted ; when 
expanded, the disk was conspicuously marked by two dentated 
M 
