56 CORYNID^E. 



Hydroid Medusae and the young of Aurelia flavidula, and 

 also other soft animals and small Crustacea/ 3 Forbes has 

 celebrated the appetite of Sarsia tubulosa for Crustacean 

 diet, and tells us how it apparently enjoys " the destruction 

 of the unfortunate members of the upper classes with a 

 truly democratic relish. " 



The maiiubrium is capable of extraordinary elongation, 

 and is a formidable instrument for the capture of prey. 

 When contracted, it is not more than half the length of 

 the bell. 



S. gravata is of humble size and very slightly branched. 

 The stems are often perfectly simple, and only about a 

 quarter of an inch in height. Dr. Wright describes the 

 polypites as colourless; but Agassiz says that the zoophyte is 

 tinted rose by coloured granules lining " the whole extent 

 of the digestive cavity and chymiferous tube." Possibly 

 the absence of distinct colour may have been due to the 

 depauperated condition of the specimens examined by the 

 former of these observers. 



Hab. North Berwick, spreading over the surface of 

 stones in a rock-pool (T. S. W.); Filey Brigg, Yorkshire, 

 in a similar situation (T. H.). I have also taken the form 

 known as Sarsia tubulosa at the same place. 



[North America (Agassiz) .] 



4. S. DECIPIENS, Dujardin. 



SVNCOKVXA DECii'iE.NS, Dujardin, Ann. Sc. Nat. (3rd ser.) Zool. vol iv. 275, 

 pl.xiv. 



I 'Lie X. fig. 2. 



STEM smooth, slightly branched; POLYPITES slender, red- 

 dish, someivhat fusiform, with a prominent proboscis and 

 much produced below : teittactf/a 8 or 9, scattered over 



