DIPHASIA PINNATA. 257 



preceding species ; D. pinnata deviates in this respect from 

 the typical character of the genus. Its hydrothecse are 

 not arranged in pairs, separated from each other by a dis- 

 tinct joint, but are closely arranged along each side of the 

 branches in slightly alternate order. 



Specimens when dried lose their brilliant colouring 

 (which is due to the presence of the animal pulp) , and 

 become black, sometimes with a tinge of red, and varnished. 



The capsules are produced in immense profusion, often 

 forming rows along the upperside of almost every pinna, 

 and giving the zoophyte much the appearance of a minia- 

 ture tree heavily laden with fruit. The female gonotheca, 

 which is three times as large as the male, presents a struc- 

 ture analogous to that which has been described in several 

 of the preceding species. It is lobate, and the segments, 

 which are closely adherent at first, separate as the embryos 

 reach maturity. 



This is unquestionably one of the finest of the British 

 Sertulariidae . We owe the first description of it to Pallas, 

 who, in his 'Elenchus/ has characterized it with the 

 minute accuracy that distinguished him. 



Hab. D. pinnata seems to be confined to the south- 

 western district, occurring not uncommonly, at consider- 

 able depths, in the warm waters which bathe the shores of 

 Cornwall and South Devon. 



The Lizard (Pallas) : off the Deadman, rare ; a few 

 miles west and north-west of the Eddystone, common 

 (R. Q. C.) : Coast of Devon (Mrs. Griffiths) : Polperro, in 

 40 fathoms, 10 or 12 miles from shore (Laughrin). I 

 have received many specimens from this part of the 

 Cornish coast. 



[In Mr. Busk's collection there is a specimen with the 

 male capsules from Sydney, and one with the female from 

 South Africa.] 



