ioo ANTIPATHES, 



Gorgonia fpiralis. Linn. Syft. Nat. Ed. 12. p. 1290* 



There are feveral fizes of this extraordinary animal ; 

 one of them is of the thicknefs of a writing pen, and 

 aoout two feet long ; this has grown naturally into a 

 knot, as if it was tied, and is curled and twirled very re- 

 markably ; fee fig. 1. tab. 19. The flefhy part that co- 

 vers the fpiny furface of the bone is full of little gelati- 

 nous wart-like figures, as at fig. 2. 



When we have foaked thefe warts for fome time in 

 warm water, they appear to us not unlike fome polypes 

 with fix claws furrounding a cup in the center, which 

 probably is their mouth :. thefe figures are differently 

 magnified at fig. 3. 4. 5- This fpecimen fpreads itfelf 

 with a broad bafe on a coral rock. The bone, or hard 

 part, when broke obliquely, horizontally fhews that the 

 internal as well as external layers are full of little fpines ; 

 fee fig. 6. It is of a hard horny black mining fubftance, 

 brittle almofl as glafs. 



I have another fpecimen not thicker at the bafe than-; 

 the quill of a hen's feather ; this is twilled fpirally, but 

 loofely and tapering to a point :.. it is feven feet long, very 

 black, full of fpines.,. and covered with a hardened thin 

 gelatinous fubftance,. and was, found adhering by a broad 

 bafe to a rock. 



Both of thefe were lately brought from the Fail Indie&j 

 they are found in plenty about the {pice iflands. 



TAB.19. 2. Antipathes Ulex. Furz-Itke Antipathes.. 



8. IG ' ? * Antipathes ramofiffima, This Antipathes is very much 



ramisjparfu patentiius hi- branched,, with loofc, fpread, 



fpidijjhnis attenuates* very rough, and pointed 



branches. 

 Tab. 19. Fig. 7. 8. 



This 



