94 G O R G O N I A. 



rupes late explanata^ from a broad bafe that is fpread 

 came interne fubalbida upon rocks. The flefh is of a 

 externe cinerea^ polypis whitifh color within, and a 

 majoribus oEiotentaculatis pale afh color without, fur- 

 cirratisy ojfe ex aciculis nifhed with large polypes, 

 vitreis purpureis inordi- that have each eight fringed 

 nate fed longitudinaliter claws, and come out on the 

 compaEits compofio. furface in a quincunx order. 



The bone, or hard inward 

 part, confifts of a number of 

 little purple, glafTy needles, 

 irregularly but clofely put to- 

 gether lengthways. 



Tab. 14. Fig. 1.2. 



This foft Coral has been reckoned by fome authors 

 an Alcyonium. But having received many elegant fpe- 

 cimens of it, well preferved in fpirits, from the Earl of 

 Hillfborough, which were collected by Mr. Greg in the 

 Weil: Indies ; they have afforded me an opportunity of 

 placing it with its proper genus. 



The firm purple glafly infide appears fo diftincl: from 

 the pale white flefny part on the outride, that as foon as I 

 had difcovered this, I did not hefitate to remove it to 

 its proper genus : befides, the ftems being the largeft in 

 diameter of all this genus clearly explain to us, what 

 we are obliged in the other fpecies to make ufe of 

 magnifying glafTes to difcover, particularly the various 

 veffels of the organical parts that ferve to extend and con- 

 tract the polype-like fuckers, which fupply the animal 

 with proper nourishment for its fupport and further ex- 

 tenfion. One thing is remarkable in the more folid or 

 bony part of this animal, that we may eafily diftinguifh 



certain 



