PLTTMULAKIA OBLTQTJA. 



305 



with two joints a little above the point of origin ; HYDRO- 

 THEC^E campanulate, with a deeply sinuated rim ; NEMA- 

 TOPHORES minute, two immediately above and behind 

 the calycle, one below it, one in each axil and on each 

 internode of the stem; GONOTHEC.E very large, ovate, 

 truncate above. 



THIS fairy-like species, which only attains a height of 

 about a quarter of an inch, was ranked by Dr. Johnston 

 amongst the Laomedece. It differs from its British con- 

 geners in having only a single calycle on each pinna, and 

 therefore wants the characteristic plumous form ; in all 

 other respects (in the presence of nematophores, which are 

 developed in great abundance, the structure of the stem, 

 and the character of the hydrothecse) it agrees with the 

 genus Plumularia. 



The polypite has about sixteen very short arms. 



The reproductive capsule was figured by Lister in his 

 remarkable paper in the ' Philosophical Transactions;' and 

 nothing, I believe, has been added to his 

 account of it. It is produced at the base 

 of the pinnae, contains a single sporosac 

 and is of remarkable size as compared 

 with the calycles (Woodcut, fig. 36) . 



This minute species is rich in the elements 

 of beauty. The slender flexuous stem, the 

 graceful form of the hyaline calycle with its 

 sinuated rim, nestling in the curved arm of 

 the pinna, and the tenuity and transparency 

 of the whole render it a singularly attrac- 

 tive object. 



Hab. On weed &c. near low-water mark, 

 observation has gone hitherto, P. obliqua must be accounted 

 a local species. It was originally discovered at Brighton, 

 and appears to be common in the south-eastern district. 

 It has occurred at a single point on the Cornish and South- 



x 



Fig. 36. 



v*^, 553 . 



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So far as 



