236 ZOOOHYTES FOUND ON THE COAST OF BANFFSHIRE^ 



on shore by the fishermen. The leaves of this species being generally 

 densely crowded together, and forming large clusters, present, in some res- 

 pects, as rich a field as the stomachs of fishes, more especially when pro- 

 cured in a fresh state. Many of the minute Crustacea and testacea, starfish 

 and urchins, have I picked from amongst these treacherous leaves. 



Oemmellaria lorioulata, or coat of mail coralline. Abundant. 



Halecium halecinum. On old shells. 



H. muricatum. Rare. 



Laomedea dicJiotoma. This peculiar and thread-like species is pretty fre- 

 quent with us. 



L. gelatinosa. A small species ; on Algae, pretty frequent. 



Lepralia hyalina. A very minute species; on the stems of Algse. Not 

 very plentiful. 



L. linearis. Frequent. Encrusted on old shells, and, at times, forming 

 large patches. 



Membranipora pilosa. A small species, but abundant. I find it generally 

 on Furcellaria fastigiata ; in some instances, almost covering the whole plant, 

 and not unfrequently in company with Orantia compressa. 



Pennatula phosphorea. Sea-fern, sea-pen, and, as our fishermen have it, 

 cock's-comb. This very pretty and peculiar species is, at times, frequently 

 brought in by our fishermen; and, at other times, it is not to be met with. 

 It is, of all the Zoophytes I have as yet met with, the worst to preserve whole 

 and in a good condition ; being so full of a peculiarly slimy and glutinous 

 matter, that it is hardly possible to clean the specimen without injuring it. 

 It is doubtless this fluid which gives to the animal its luminous qualities. 

 I have seen it recorded, that this interesting species, like the Gulf-weed, 

 lives and grows unattached, and at the mercy of winds and waves, tossed 

 about over the ocean, at the capricious will of every little ripple. It may be 

 so ; for I am totally unacquainted with the fact, or with the generally 

 received opinion on the subject. But how comes it to pass, that the ex- 

 tremity of the central stem or axis, when procured fresh, has always the 

 appearance of an imderground growth? The centre stem or axis, as is well 

 known, is always, like the rest of the creature, of a reddish colour ; but the 

 extremity is always of a yellowish tinge or sickly hue, similar to that part 

 which is under-ground of any single-stemed plant which grows on terra firma. 

 If they are actually a floating species, I should think that they would be a 

 veiy tempting object to the unscrupulous and voracious Cod. And yet, I 

 have never met with any in his capacious crop. 



Plumalaria Catharina. Somewhat rare. 



P. falcata. A pretty species, and somewhat forest looking. Abundant. 

 Brought on shore on old shells from deep water. Also, found here amongst 

 the rocks at low tide. 



P. frutescens. A dark species. Rare. On old shells from deep water. 



