This flower, or polype-like part coniifts of five or 
fix obtufely-acuminated, converging fegments, lea¬ 
ving a tubular opening, through which the proper 
nutriment may be conveyed to the whole. It is 
however no improbable fuppofition that the real 
polypes, (if fuch exift) may have withdrawn them- 
felves into the lower parts of their refpective tubular 
branches, leaving only the external calyces in view. 
A tranfverfe feftion of this Alcyonium fhews it to 
be of a cancellated or loofely-compa&ed fabric, the 
hollows all running in a longitudinal direction from 
the bottom upwards. 
An elegant fpecimen of this Alcyonium was fome-, 
time fince prefented to the Linnaean Society by 
Colonel Paterfon, Vice-Governor of the Englilh 
fettlement in New Holland. 
The lower figure reprefents a fpecimen preferved 
for a considerable time in fpirit of wine. 
Fig* 3* A magnified view of one of the exterior 
ramifications, in order to Shew the flower-like 
terminations. 
Fig. 4. Magnified view of one of the vermicular 
fibres of which the whole is compofed. 
