72 
CLASS L— ORDER II. 
The Aglaophenias have been confounded with 
Sertularias by all authors who have written on Poly- 
pidoms, notwithstanding the numerous and invaria- 
ble characters which constitute them a very distinct 
group. 
Their small polypean lodges are sometimes placed 
between two appendages, like a flower in its calix ; at 
other times the upper appendage is wanting, and the 
lower one may then be compared to the bractea of an 
axillary and sessile flower. There are some, of which 
the cells are isolated and placed at regular distances 
from each other ; others, which by their near approach 
form groups at each articulation. But through all 
the species the generic character is constantly found, 
i. e. that of having the cells on the same side of the 
branches. 
The Aglaophenias are of a homy substance, mem- 
branous, and flexible. 
Their colour, which is fawn, varying almost from 
black to white, presents not, indeed, those brilliant hues 
that adorn some of the Sertularias, or some of the 
Corallines ; but they excel those Polypidoms in the 
elegance of their form and in the situation of their 
branches, arching gracefully over each other, and re- 
sembling the waving plumes of the ostrich in their 
divisions and general inflection. 
Their height varies from one centimetre to three 
decimetres, or even more. 
They are found in all seas, at all depths, and in all 
latitudes ; frequently parasites on the Thalassiophytes 
and other marine productions ; sometimes adhering to 
rocks by fibres more or less numerous. 
