124 THE HALL OP SHELLS. 



flowers. The polypier, or polypus stalk, of the 

 sea fan, surrounded by only a semicalcareous 

 crust, is flexible, the whole structure tough and 

 elastic. DiflFerent species show various, but all 

 beautiful formations. Sometimes the branches 

 appear nearly straight, at others they are a 

 mazy network of the most delicate and intri- 

 cate tracery, and when their colonies of jewel- 

 like polypi are in bloom they seem the realiza- 

 tion of a fairy dream. 



" GorgonidcB are found in all seas, but are 

 most abundant in those of warm climates, as is 

 the case with all species of polypi. 



" These fan manufacturers were cousins to 

 the polypi who wrought those miracles in 

 stone," continued the doctor, turning to Tom 

 and the corals. "All these little workers 

 have been known as Zoophytes, or flower 

 animals. They might have been called Phi- 

 losopher's Puzzles, for such they have long 

 been, and even now they keep many of 

 their pretty secrets safe in their own little 

 stomachs, this anatomical locality being at 

 present regarded by the sages as the '■ seat and 

 center' of personal identity in these pretty 

 polypi. 



" In their living and active state each little 

 worker looks like a tiny star with its rays ar- 



