[ 432 ] 
feems to be the flefh of this compound animal, 
and thefe fibres with their inclofed contents to be 
the mufcles ; for by the exertion of thefe it 
affifis in opening or clofing the ftars on the fur- 
face, while the fuckers or polype-like figures are 
pufhing themfelves out in fearch of food, or 
when they are retreating to fecure themfelves 
from danger. 
11. Is the magnified part of an upright fedtion of 
this Alcyonium reprefented in its natural fize at. 
b. Here the polype like fuckers appear in different 
attitudes ; one has extended itfelf through the 
ftarry opening, and is fending forth it’s fpawn 
or eggs ; at the bafe of the next fucker you may 
obferve fome of the tender filaments by which 
it is fixt to the bottom of the tube; the fucker 
next to this is contracted and its ftarry opening 
is clofed over it ; the cell or ftar next to this is 
cut in half to fhew the manner that the fucker is 
placed in it. 
12. Reprefents one of thefe fuckers taken out of 
its cell. 
13. Is a crofs or horizontal fedtion of a piece of 
this Alcyonium, the natural fize is expreffcd 
at c *. 
14. The Madrepora coral is introduced here to 
fhew how near it approaches to this Alcyonium 
in its external appearance and in the ramification 
of its tubes. 
The 
* The reticulated flefhy part of this Alcyonium approaches 
very near to the nature of fponges ; for fponges, when firft taken 
out of the fea, are filled with a gelatinous or mucous matter of a 
1 ftrong 
