61 
'•all 
f '% not very nnmerons, do not divide low down, but arise 
S i° m the sides and edges of the larger lobes : arc always 
^°"t, somewhat compressed, and more closely resembling the 
of a cow than the human finger. In the present case, 
a 0 lobes are very numerous, and divide nearly as low down 
r s file base; they are elongated, cylindrical, and very nearly 
s e8 emble the little finger, both in shape and size. As the 
fi^cioien was very nearly dead when I first, saw it., the polypes 
5 a of course be but very imperfectly described. They 
l ) eetn ed very similar in shape to those of the Al. digitatum, 
f I* ftT ere smaller and semi-opaque ; the tentacula were eight, 
'"ged, and of a pinkish tinge, with a red band beneath, 
circling them: the various orifices could not be ob- 
^ rv 'ed. The spicula are numerous and irregularly arranged ; 
e y are liDear-elongate, pointed at both extremities, with 
s . ev en, or granular spaces between; sometimes they are 
simple and at others united into K-shaped bodies, and occa- 
• "ally wanting one or other of its members forming an 
> e / f ect K. 
Ss 1 "at this is not a variety of the Alcyonium digitatum, 
iti» IllS a l' nost certain. Having had opportunities of examin- 
species in many thousand instances, from all parts 
3- 1 . Cornish coast, from near the shore to mid channel, 
t 0 in all stages of growth, I may therefore be supposed 
of . e familiar with it, yet on my own mind there is no donbt 
bei “g distinct ; and such also is the opinion of others 
0 have examined it. 
ORDER III. 
HELIANTHOIDA. 
h e "'s order contains the largest and most brilliant species to 
a( ' t !°«nd on our coast, and is therefore the most likely to 
l^^t the attention of casual observers. All naturalists who 
a, Written on them, describe them in such glowing terms 
more fitted for the vegetable than the animal king- 
ti fi ' ’ yet when many of them are examined, such descrip- 
be sa 'd, ral her to have t'alleD short of, than to have 
liQ^Serated their beauties. Their interest to the naturalist, 
id ., ever > i® founded on other and more important grounds ; 
tho s lem he recognizes the British representatives ot most of 
'he 6 w °nder working animals of the South Seas, by which 
Hi e < ?° ral "cefs and islands of that region are reared, and by 
bile P er haps, continents may eventually bo formed. Ii is 
is ar ° Ur shores cannot boast of such magnificent specimens 
Cb 5tHs brou §l'* ; 1° fi*' s country by our navigators and mer- 
s > and that the only calcareous species we have is a 
H 
