[L., ad. Gr. ἀλκυόνιον Bastard-sponge, so called according to Dioscorides from its resemblance to the nest of the ἀλκυών or Halcyon.] A genus of zoophytes, giving its name to the sub-order Alcyonaria, forming firm fleshy masses, a species of which is popularly called Dead Man’s Fingers, and Cow’s Paps.
1752. Phil. Trans., XLVII. 460. Call’d madrepora, lithophyton or alcyonium. Ibid. (1786), LXXVI. 444. Infinite variety of corals, madrepores, alcyoniums.
1857. Wood, Com. Obj. Sea., vi. 116. When placed in clear sea-water, the alcyonium soon begins to put forth a few crystalline columnar polyps.
