640 
RADIATA. 
ALCXONItJM ELBGANS. 
CTDONIUM MULLEEI. 
THE ALCYONIDiE. 
This family includes severa. genera, as Alct/onium, Lobularia, Cydonium^ <fec. In the genus 
Alcyonium, tlie polypidom is of a spongy nature, and contains a multitude of minute calcareous 
concretions, which serve to give firmness to the fabric. When the polypes are contracted, the 
surface of the polypidom, Avhich is covered with a coriaceous shin, is seen to bear numerous 
scattered stellate marks, which, on examination, are found to consist of eight rays corresponding 
with the tentacula of the polypes which are to be protruded from these spots. The cells occupied 
by the polypes are placed at the terminations of canals which run through the polypidom, and 
which, by their union with each other, serve to maintain a communication between the individual 
polypes constituting the mass. These groups are always attached to submarine bodies. The 
Alcyonium digitatum, is a common European species ; among the English it has the various names 
of Cow^s Pajjs, Bead Mali's Toes, Dead Maris Fingers^ &c. The French call it Main de Mer, 
and the Germans FingerJcorlc. All these names are descriptive of its appearance. 
One of the most remarkable species belonging to this family is the A. i^Qcidum, or Nei^tune's 
Cup, which is found upon the coral reefs in the East- 
ern Archipelago. The polypidom of this zoophyte, 
Avhich bears some resemblance to a wine-glass in 
form, is sometimes as much as three feet in height, 
and eighteen inches in diameter at the mouth- 
In the A. elegans, the polypary consists of two 
parts, the lower one being hard and of a solid 
texture, and the upper one soft and flexible. 
THE GORGONID^. 
In this family the substance of the polypidom 
is collected into a solid central axis, covered by 
the fleshy mass in which the polypes are imbed- 
ded. The axis is sometimes calcareous, sometimes 
horny ; in certain cases it is formed of a series of 
joints united by homy rings. Many species grow 
in a more or less arborescent form, of which the 
Sea-Fans are an example. 
This family also includes the Corallium ruhrum, the animal which produces the Common Bed 
GOEGONIA OE SEA-FAN. 
