568 



PEDICELLINID^. 



Fig. 37. 



dorsal side; tentacles 12-16 (?). Peduncle asuallj oi a 

 yellowish-red colour^ tapering very decidedly towards 

 the top^ where it is much attenuated^ always destitute 

 of spines. Stolon distinctly jointed at intervals'^. 



This form must not be confounded with the smooth- 

 stemmed variety of P. cernua. It is distinguished by 

 the small size and regular shape of the 

 body, which has none of the distorted ap- 

 pearance so characteristic of the last species, 

 as well as by its very tapering peduncle, 

 which is usually of an elongate-conical form. 

 The latter character seems to be very con- 

 stant: the stem tapers rapidly upwards from 

 about the middle of its length to the point 

 of junction with the body, terminating in a 

 subacuminate extremity. 



The ordinary height of P. nutans equals 

 that of P. cernua ; but it never reaches 

 (in the specimens which I have exa- 

 mined) the somewhat gigantic proportions 

 which the latter not unfrequently attains. 

 The body is almost perfectly symmetrical, and is not 

 unlike a graceful vase mounted on a pedestal ; in its 

 diminutive size it resembles that of P. gracilis. 



This seems to be the form which Dalyell has described 

 under the name of P. nutans. His figures very accurately 

 represent its chief characteristics, and could not have been 

 suggested by P. cernua, as no trace is shown of the distor- 

 tion of the body. It is true that he represents his P. nutans 

 as frequently erect and branched, a condition which I have 

 not observed in the present form ; but, assuming the poly- 

 pides to be identical, this would not be a specific dis- 

 tinction; and it seems right therefore to retain his name. 



* The stolon is much stouter than that of P. cernua, which is not jointed. 



Pedicellina 

 nutans. 



