Fungia

(Zool.) A genus of Polypes, of which there are several species, both recent and fo il, principally from the Indian seas. They belong to the Mad rephylliæa of De Blainville, and consist of animals in nearly the lowest state of organization; for, although they are universally allowed to be animals, they are completely without the power of motion, consisting simply of a living gelatinous film, which is endowed with the capability of constructing for itself a stony support or framework, derived from the surrounding water. In form it is generally orbicular or oval; mouth superior, transverse in a large disc, which is covered by many thick cirriform tentacula; and the disc is solidified internally by a calcareous solid polyp a rium, of a simple figure. Fig . 1089. THICK-TENTACLED FUNGIA. (Fungia cra i tentacula.)