ZOOPHYTES. 



403 



blossom was withdrawn when we first saw it, leaving 

 only the shallow depression to mark its situation. 



The form of the column is in general that of the 

 trunk of a tree, or that of a long cone ; but there is a 

 sudden constriction just above the base, and another 

 below the point, where what may be called the flower 

 expands. It is the petals of this latter which consti- 

 tute the principal charm of this creature. They are, 

 properly speaking, the tentacles of the Polype, answer- 

 ing in function and position to those on the Laomedea, 

 but differing considerably from them in form. Each of 

 the eight is thick and broad at its origin, and quickly 

 tapers to a point : on each of two opposite sides — viz. 

 those which look towards the two adjoining tentacles, 

 runs a i-ow of delicately slender filaments, which at the 



rOLTPEB OF COWS PAP. 



middle part of the tentacle are moderately long, but 

 diminish regularly as they approach either end. Start- 

 ing from the side of the tentacle, in the plane of its 



