68 G O R G O N I A. 



atum^ attenuatum bafique the ends, as it rifes upwards, 

 explanation ) 'teElum carne and fpreads out at the bafe. 

 molliori vafculofa et cellu- This bony or hard part is co- 

 lofa (fed exjiccata y con- vered with a foftifh flefh, full 

 Jiflentid fpongiofa et fria- of fmall veffels and cells, 

 bili ,) which, when dry, becomes of 



a fpongy and friable confift- 



ence. 

 Ofculis polypiferis nu- Thefe cells are furnifhed 



trimentumfdrbentibu'Sy o- with little mouths, out of 

 viparifque y inftruElum* which the polypes extend 



themfelves to procure nouriih- 



ment, and fend forth their 



fpawn. 



This genus of Zoophytes, being the moft remarkable 

 for its fize, as well as the variety in the confiftence of 

 its internal hard part in feveral different fpecies, it be- 

 comes more neceffary to be particular in explaining how 

 the growth and fbuc~hire of it departs from that of vege- 

 tables ; efpecially as the generality of mankind are ftrong- 

 ly prepoffeffed, from their external ramified appearance 

 and other circumftances, that they are really true marine 

 vegetable fhrubs ; others, that they are of a mixt nature ? 

 between animals and vegetables. 



In my Effay on Corallines, I have called this genus by 

 the name of Keratophyton ; but as the name of Gorgonia, 

 from Pliny, has been fuhftituted by the celebrated Lin- 

 naeus 'inftead of it, I mail adopt it accordingly. 



My former defcription of this animal, Effay on Coral- 

 lines, pag. 59. was taken from dried fpecimens, and 

 was as well as their fhri veiled and friable Situation would 

 admit, Since that time, I have had frequent opportuni- 

 ties 



