The name Zoophytes, Zoophyta (i.e. animal plants, from ζων, animal, and φυτόν, plants,) has been long appropriated to a numerous assemblage of marine or aqueous productions, which have puzzled the ingenuity of naturalists to ascertain their place in the chain of nature's works, and which have been alternately ranked among vegetable and animal, and sometimes even among mineral substances. At length, however, they seem, by general consent, to have been configned over to the animal kingdom, and, with the addition of several tribes from the Linnaean orders of Inteifina, Moluca, and Infuflora, have, by Cuvier and his colleagues of the French school, been elevated to the rank of a separate class. See Helminthology, No. II.

In the Linnaean system, the zoophytes of earlier modern naturalists constitute the 4th order of the class VERMES, and as such have been enumerated under Helminthology; but as the circumscribed limits of that article did not admit of our describing or figuring many species, we shall now as far as possible supply that deficiency by selecting a few of the most curious or interesting species of the Linnaean zoophytes; and we shall take this opportunity of making a few observations on some of the genera to which they belong.

Figs. 1. and 2. represent the Tubipora mufica, crimson tubipore, or organ coral; one of the most elegant of these singular productions. This species is distinguished from its congeners by having the tubes connected into Fig. 1. & 2. fasciculae or bundles, and separated from each other by transverse membranous partitions. The whole mass consists of upright parallel tubes, rising over each other by stages, something like the cells of a honeycomb. These tubes vary in height from half an inch to an inch; and are from one-tenth to one-eighth of an inch in diameter. Examined internally, they appear to contain a smaller tube divided at certain distances by radiated partitions (see fig. 2.), by means of which the transverse septa sometimes communicate with each other. These tranverse septa are of unequal heights. The colour of Zoophytes the mass is a deep purple, or a rich crimson. The size of the mass varies considerably; but specimens have been obtained of from a foot to three feet in diameter. It is found abundantly in the Pacific ocean, and on the shores of some of the islands in the Indian sea.

In its recent state it is covered with a mucous or gelatinous substance, which pervades the whole mass and enters within each tube. The inhabiting animal is not certainly ascertained, but seems to be allied to the nemertine tribe.

Figs. 3. and 4. exhibit two views of the Madrepora fungites, or mushroom madrepora. This body so fungites. exactly resembles a mushroom that it has very commonly been regarded as that vegetable in a state of petrifaction; but recent observations seem to prove that it is formed by small animals like medusae. The convex side of this madrepora is conical, sometimes obtusely pointed, and exhibits on its surface those stellated pores which form the distinguishing character of the genus, while the concave surface is divided into numerous radiated furrows so as to represent the gills of a mushroom. When first obtained, it is of a delicate white colour, especially on the concave part, but it soon acquires a brown or yellowish tinge. It is found of various sizes, from an inch to fix inches in diameter. It is met with chiefly in the Indian ocean and Red sea.

At fig. 5. is represented that elegant coral called by Dr. Bitu- Linneus Isis hippuris, the black and white jointed coral, or Ellis. The specific character of this coral is that it is composed of white striated joints united by black junctions; but that structure is not visible till after the coral has been freed from a whitish soft spongy part, with which the branches are covered in their natural state. See fig. 6. It is found chiefly in the Indian seas, and varies in height from a few inches to nearly two feet.

Fig. 7. represents the Antipathes myriophylla, yar-Antipathes row antipathes, or sea yarrow, of its natural size; while myriophyl- fig. 8. shews one of the pinnae considerably magnified.

This is one of those zoophytes which in their habit and appearance almost exactly resemble some of the vegetable tribes, and hence have received the names of sea-heath, sea-cypress, sea-fennel, &c. From their colour they are usually denominated black coral. This species, though one of the smallest, is not the least elegant of the tribe. It consists of numerous branches, composed of very slender pinnae arranged in no certain order. The whole coral is seldom above a foot in height, and rough on its outer surface. This also is a native of the Indian ocean, being found more especially on the coasts of the Molucca islands, and is sometimes met with in the Great South sea.

Fig. 9. exhibits a specimen of red coral, the Isis no-Gorgonia bilis of Linne, and Gorgonia nobilis of later naturalists. This substance, though now nearly exploded from the materia medica, will still retain a place in our cabinets for its intrinsic beauty and elegant appearance; but when examined on its native beds, or soon after being fished up, it shews a very different surface from that under which we usually see it. Fig. 9. represents it as prepared for sale by being deprived of its fleshy animal bark or coating, but retaining the striated appearance which marks its specific character; but fig. 10. exhibits a piece of it in its natural state, with polyps extruded from the fleshy coat, and shewing till more distinctly at the extremities the streaks below. Red coral is found in large beds or reefs in several parts of the Mediterranean sea, and coral fisheries are established on the coasts and near the islands. A fishery of this kind in the straits of Messina is minutely described by Spallanzani in his Travels in the two Sicilies, vol. iv. To tear the coral from the rocks they make use of a machine composed of two beams tied across each other, and furnished with a leaden weight to sink them, and a quantity of loose hemp and several strong nets to entangle the branches of the coral. To this machine is attached a strong rope, which is held by the fishers, and serves both to direct the net and to draw it up when the coral is entangled. Several boats go in company, each containing eight men, and the fishery lasts from April to July. The quantity collected every year amounts on an average to twelve Sicilian quintals, each equal to 250 pounds Troy, and each pound usually sells for about four shillings and sixpence. They do not fish on the same bank oftener than once in ten years, as this time is deemed necessary for the coral to acquire its full size and vigour.

Another beautiful species of gorgonia, the GORGONIA ceratophylla, is figured at fig. 11. This is distinguished by its dichotomous flattish stem, and ascending branches. The outer flesh is of a purplish colour, and the branches are furnished with two rows of scattered pores from which the polypi appear. It is found in the Mediterranean, and sometimes on the eastern coasts of America.

Nearly allied to the gorgonia is the species of alcyonium represented at fig. 12. This is the ALCYONUM gorgonoides of Gmelin. It is of a cinereous colour, of a sandy fleshy consistence, having radiated warty cellules. It is found on the northern coast of South America, especially near the island of Curacao.

The zoophytes which naturalists distinguish by the generic name alcyonium, sometimes form independent bodies of a rounded form, such as those called the sea-orange, sea-fig, &c.; or cover the surface of shells and other marine bodies like a kind of bark. Their internal part or base is friable, and, when dried, appears to be composed of fine fibres, which are either longitudinal, as in the present case, diverging, or circular. This base is covered with a soft crust, that in drying assumes a leathery consistence, and is pierced with numerous little cells inhabited by polypi. In some species these cells are dispersed over the whole surface of the coral, while in others they are confined to particular spots or tubercles. They are all inhabitants of the ocean, where they are usually fixed to rocks or other solid bodies.

In the article HELMINTHOLOGY we have sufficiently treated of the nature and properties of the sponges, and have there mentioned particularly the common or official sponge. At fig. 13. is represented a more curious species, the Sp. tubulosa or festularia, the tubular or pipey sponge. This consists of simple upright, attenuated, rigid tubes, tuberculated on the outer surface, which is of a black colour. It is found in the seas that wash the coasts of America.

The flustrae are a tribe of insignificant zoophytes, which seem scarcely entitled to the rank which they hold in the animal creation. They are formed of a congeries of superficial cells, placed close together, like those of a honeycomb, but generally occupying only a single surface. Sometimes this substance forms a coating to some other marine body, at others it is unattached and forms a floating foliaceous mass or mat. The species re- Zoophytes. presented at fig. 14. is one of the most curious, and is described by Ellis under the name of English sea-mat, called in the Linnaean Transactions, vol. v. FLUSTRA arenosa. It is composed of sandy particles agglutinated together with lime, and in shape resembles the fore part of a horse's hoof. It is very friable, and so thin as to be easily broken. These flustrae are found abundantly on the coast of Kent, and about Holy-head on the Welsh coast.

Fig. 15. represents a specimen of SERTULARIA setacea, Sertularia the small sea-bristle coralline of Ellis, of its natural size setacea, and fig. 16. shows the same specimen considerably mag.-fig. 15. nified. This species is distinguished by being simply & 16. pinnated, with bent alternate pinnae, furnished with very remote processes growing only on one side, and oblong axillary ovaries. It is one of the smallest and most delicate of the tribe, seldom exceeding an inch and a half in height. It is very common, and is found on the British coasts.

None of the zoophytes bear a nearer resemblance to vegetables than the festulariae. Their creeping roots, their branched stem, and tufts of feeming flowers (the polypine processes) give them all the air of plants. Hence they were long considered as sea-mosses, and described by botanists under that name. See Ray's Synopsis, p. 38. and 39. When attentively examined, however, their animal nature will scarcely be disputed. Externally they are composed of a horny substance, perfectly transparent, and through this may be distinguished the animal substance traversing the centre of the stem and branches like the pith of a plant, and appearing externally as little knots or protuberances in the form of tentaculated polyps. These extraneous polyps are considered by Cuvier (Tableau Elementaire, p. 768.) not as distinct animals, but only as parts of the same animal which constitutes the sole inhabitant of the festularia. These zoophytes adhere to rocks, shells, &c. by creeping roots, and appear to propagate by means of eggs. They are among the most common of this class of animated beings.

The PENNATULAE, or Sea-pens, constitute a very curious tribe of zoophytes, which are completely locomotive, and swim in the manner of fishes. They consist of an internal bone or rather horny substance, covered with a sensible fleshy coat. Their lower extremity is simple like the barrel of a quill, while the upper extremity is expanded into a flattened part, that is generally composed of pinnae like the barbs of a quill, though it is sometimes merely a simple expanded mass furnished with polypine processes.

Fig. 17. represents one of the most common sea-pens properly so called, the PENNATULA phophlorea, phosphorescent pennatula, of its natural size. It has a fleshy stem, a rough middle part, and imbricated pinnules. The pinnae are furnished on one side with lesser pinnae, at the extremities of which appear the polyps. See fig. 18. which shows one of the separate pinnae, a little magnified. This species is of a fine red or light scarlet colour, and when alive exhibits a strong phosphorescent light, so as to render distinctly visible objects that are near it. It is pretty common on the coasts of Britain, and is sometimes taken in the fishermen's nets, or adhering to the baits.

For figures of two other Linnaean zoophytes, the TUBULARIA magnifica, and HYDRA viridis, see Plate

PLATE DLXXIX.

Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. Fig. 5. Fig. 6.

PLATE DLXXX.

Fig. 8. Fig. 7. Fig. 11. Fig. 9. Fig. 10. Fig. 12.

W. Archibald sc Fig. 13. ZOOPHYTES. Fig. 14. PLATE DLXXXI.

Fig. 15.

Fig. 16.

Fig. 17.

Fig. 18. CCLIII. Several of Cuvier's zoophytes are represented in Plates XXXIV. CCLI. and CCLII. and some of the Infusoria in Plates XXXV. and XXXVI.