78 MYRIOTHELID^. 



colour; the ADHERENT BASE massive, of a dark horn- 

 colour, sending out a few tubular and root-like prolon- 

 gations. Embryo actiniform. 



Tins extraordinary Hydroid is remarkable for mutability 

 of form and vigour of movement. The body when elon- 

 gated extends at times to as much as an inch and a half in 

 length. In its contracted condition it is somewhat fusi- 

 form; butSars's epithet " cylindrical" is strictly applicable 

 to it when extended. For about three- fourths of its length 

 the body of the primary polypite is completely covered by 

 the small capitate tentacles (Plate XII. fig. 3, c} } which, 

 with their reddish tips, give a mottled or variegated appear- 

 ance to the surface. The basal portion bears a dense cluster 

 of the small prolific polypites on which the reproductive 

 buds are developed; these may be seen in frequent and 

 vigorous motion. They bear a close resemblance to minute 

 Corynes, having a few tentacles on the upper portion of the 

 body and carrying the gonophorcs below them. They seem 

 to be destitute of a mouth. As in Coryne, the reproductive 

 bodies attain a very large size. The actiniform embryo 

 has been observed by Mr. Cocks and Mr. Alder ; it con- 

 tinues (< free for several days, and perambulates on its stilt- 

 like legs with ease and agility." 



Sars describes Myriothela as destitute of a polypary; 

 but in fact it springs, like others of its tribe, from an adhe- 

 rent base sheathed in chitine, though it is sometimes 

 inconspicuous and difficult to detect. 



Hub. Under stones, at extreme low water, Gwyllyn Vase, 

 near Falmouth (Cocks) : Lulworth : Weymouth, nume- 

 rous under stones and on rocky ledges at spring tides 

 (Gosse) : Meadfoot, Torquay, on stone (T. H.) : Ilfracombe, 

 dredged (Leipner). 



[Greenland (Fabricius) : Troniso, in 20-30 fathoms 

 attached to stones or Sertttlarixe (Sars).] 



