202 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



[Sept. 1, 1869. 



zoophytes. "It is cast on shore in large, tangled 

 masses, and may be known at once by its zigzag 

 stems, its peculiar colour, and its exquisite delicacy." 



if '■■"- 

 ■ 





*4=; 







% 



. Fig. 157. Sertularia pumila. a. natural size; 4. magnified. 



The'calycles are flask-shaped, and the capsules pear- 

 shaped, with a short tubular mouth (fig. 158, a). 



Fig. 158. Sertularia filinula, magnified, a. capsule. 



Eour species of Sertularia have the calycles 

 alternate; two of these have branches pinnately 

 arranged, and two have the branches much divided 

 into secondary branchlets. Of the pinnate species, 

 one {Sertularia fused) is rare, smaller than the other, 

 with the calycles in two rows, the mouths of the 

 calycles turning alternately in opposite directions. 

 The other, called the " Sea Fir Coralline " {Sertularia 

 abietina), is sometimes a foot in height. The calycles 

 are large, flask-shaped, with the mouths turned out- 

 wards and upwards (fig. 100). The capsules are 

 ovate, with a short mouth, and smooth, or slightly 

 wrinkled transversely when dry (fig. 160, a). Very 

 common on shells, &c, from deep water. 



The two remaining species have slender stems, 

 with short branches somewhat spirally arranged. 

 The branches again are much subdivided. The 



" Squirrel's Tail Coralline " {Sertularia argentea) is 

 the smaller of the two, the branches more rigid 



FA* 



Fig. 159. Sertularia obiethiu, natural size. 



and erect. The calycles are shorter, swollen 

 below, with a bent aperture, pointed on one side 



Fig. 1 60. Sertularia abietina . a. calycles; b. capsule, 

 magnified. 



(fig. 161, a). This is the most common species on 

 shells fiom deep water. 



Fig. iGl. Sertularia argentea. a. calycles; 6. capsule. 



