232 
MOFSEA. 
A tree-formed Polyp id om, with pinnated branches ; 
rind thin, adherent, covered with very small papillae, 
( mamelons 3 ) which are elongated, curved towards the 
stem, dispersed, or subverticillated. 
The articulations of the axe are alternately horny 
and stony ; the first, of a deep brown colour, are very 
thick in the stems, sometimes even more so than 
the second : this thickness diminishes in the branches, 
and in the twigs it becomes invisible to the naked eye, 
being only rendered perceptible by friction. The 
stony articulations are of a fawn colour, or a dull 
white, in general thicker and alw T ays larger than the 
first, and of sufficient hardness to receive a fine 
polish : their surface is finely striated, and the striae, 
which are parallel and longitudinal, sometimes extend 
to the horny articulations. 
The rind, thin and adherent, appears devoid of po- 
lypi in the stem and principal branches ; but the mi- 
nor branches and their divisions are covered with 
polypous papillae, which are dispersed or almost verti- 
cillated, elongated, straight at their commencement, 
with the extremity recurved interiorly ; their sub- 
stance is the same as that of the rind ; the form of these 
papillous protuberances, as well as of the branches, 
which sometimes divide themselves in pairs, some- 
times in side twigs, or else are pinnated, gives these 
Polypidoms some resemblance to the verticillated 
Gorgonia and its connexions. 
Their colour is a brilliant fawn, sometimes a red 
purple, or scarlet. 
