57 
.arts which are so thickly distributed over the crust, are the 
s,tu =Uioris of the polype cells, in which the polypes lie con- 
® ea led beneath the surface. The depressions, which are 
st . ar -shaped, have always eight rays; but a portion of the 
C|r cuniference °f eacil star ’ is frequently encroached on for 
ab °ut a fifth of its extent, by a large fleshy lip; this is the 
c 3se as frequently in one variety as the other. 
. The varieties may be considered the two above refered 
but there are specimens of such a mixed character that 
e y may be refered to either one or the other with equal 
^opriety. The G. Viminalis is stouter than the other, more 
j^Ost, 'less branched and more fan-shaped, and grows in 
.' ;e P water from six to ten leagues from the shore. The G. 
err ucosa is more slender, more and irregularly branched. 
Pleading laterally from the fan like plane, and grows nearer 
0 shore and off the head lands. From these circumstances, 
appears probable that the variations depend on the local- 
es in which they grow. Those near the shore, being dis- 
' Jr bed by a variety of currents become bushy, while those 
t r °m deep water distant from the shore, being subject to the 
currents of ebb and flow' acting in parallel lines, assume 
Man-shape. 
j. I he branches are frequently infested with various coral- 
c nes . the Plumularice , Sertularim, Alcyonium, %c.; Lepades, 
^pecially the L. Scalpelium; and are liable to globular ex- 
frscences, which are found to be composed of, the fleshy 
j s Usl; j and the horny membrane which invests the axis, which 
P ra ised and in connection with the crust, leaving the axis 
^, a ‘ e 5 forming a cavity which is frequently partially filled 
|j b a whitish medullary matter; this has been mentioned 
^ ° re in the introductory observations to this order, to which 
Reader is refered for further information. 
}>l b bis species is anions the commonest on onr coast ; from 
tj l v 'ni°u lll Sound to the Land’s end and the Irish sea, it is to 
. °und at almost all depths. 
^US’ FAN. G. Flabcllum. This species grows in the 
|? r &i of a fan of net work, with its branches compressed ; 
J" e flesh is yellow, sometimes purple or brown, with small 
'°nths placed irregularly, having polypes with eight ten- 
^cules ; the bone is black, horny and slightly striated on 
e large branches. 
^‘abellum Veneris, Ellis’ Coral., p. 61, pi. 26, (ig. A. 
p “‘‘ase’s Nat. Hist. Corn., p. 238. Turton’s Lin,, vol. 4, 
Fleming’s Brit. An., p. 611. Johnston’s Brit. 
P ‘., p. vignette no. 19, p. 161. 
or) ly authority for making this Cornish is Dr; Borlase, 
0 at page 238 of his Natural History says, “It was 
