PLATE GXIV. 



concert^ or at least, this is the usually received conclusion. But we 

 are not to deny that here again there may be a nearer approximation 

 to the vegetable economy than is at first imagined, for each of the 

 Gorgonise may be in reality a single animal, and the numerous polypii 

 which reside in the fleshy covering, only so many sucker mouths 

 or origans of the same aggregated animal, adapted for the capture 

 of the animalcules which reside in the water, and constitute its food. 



In forming either of those opinions the analogies of nature are 

 sufficiently numerous and well-known to justify, at least, a general 

 conclusion. The aggregated body of the Taeniae, or tape-worms, 

 which consist of many hundred joints, and have two distinct mouths 

 in every joint, is an example too remarkable to be forgotten. 



Perhaps it may not be amiss in this place to say a few words 

 further, in order to assist the minds of those who have not hitherto 

 considered the subject, and which may enable them in some degree 

 to determine whether the Gorgoni^, like plants, constitute each a 

 single individual, or are an aggregation of beings, having no other 

 relation with each other than that of residing in the same societies. 

 This will be best conceived by relating the manners of the Gorgoniae 

 in their living state, and in their native element. 



When in a dormant or quiescent state, those animal beings, the 

 Gorgoniae, have no othet motion than that of vegetables, when their 

 blossoms are expanded, they resemble flowery plants, but their 

 animal nature remains no longer doubtful when the polypes are 

 prompted to exert themselves in the capture of their food: the blossoms 

 are then in motion, and seem to betray perception as well as animation. 



