ZOOPHYTA BRIT ANN I C A. 
ORDER II. 
Z. ASTEROIDA. 
Character. 
Polypes compound , the mouth encircled with 8 pectinate tenia - 
cula ; stomach membranous with dependant vasculiform appen- 
dages ; intestine 0 ; anus 0 ; reproductive gemmules produced in- 
teriorly. -Polype-mass variable in form, free or permanent- 
ly attached , carnose, generally strengthened with a horny or cal- 
careous axis enveloped with the gelatinous or creto-gelatinous 
crust in which the polype-cells are immersed , and which open 
on the surface in a starred fashion with 8 rays. 
Observations. 
On a cursory view the Polypidoms of the three families em- 
braced in this order appear very dissimilar, and accordingly, by 
many recent authors, they have been scattered over the class, 
and placed widely asunder. The affinity between them, how- 
ever, is generally acknowledged, and had been distinctly per- 
ceived by some of the earliest zoophytologists. Thus Bohadsch 
found so much in common between the typical Pennatulae and 
a species of Alcyonium, that he has not hesitated to describe 
them as members of the same genus ; and although the more 
systematic character of Pallas prevented him falling into this 
error, — if error it can indeed be called, — he did not the less 
recognize the relationship between the genera or families.* Pal- 
* “ Pennatulae Alcyoniis specierum gradatione ita propinquse sunt et tamen 
simul structura, habitu, vitaeque sensitive gradu discrepant, ut exemplum majoris 
siraul affinitatis et discordantiae inter duo genera in rerum natura vix dari exis- 
timem. Certo respectu Pennatulae ad Alcyonia sunt, quod Hydraead Sertularias 
Elenck. p. 362 — In relation to this paragraph consult also p. 370, 343, 162, 
191: — and Misc. Zool. p. 177. 
