AETEA RECTA. 7 



swellings on tlie creeping stem fusiform^ finely wrinkled 

 transversely, generally not distant. 



Habitat. On shells, stones, &c., from moderate depths to 

 deep water (80 fathoms) . 



Localities. Torbay, abundant; Salcombe; off the Dead- 

 man, 60 fathoms ; Isle of Man ; Lamlash, Arran (T. H.) : 

 Guernsey; Antrim; Shetland, 40-80 fathoms, frequent; 

 the Minch (A. M. N.) : Birterbuy Bay (G. S. Brady). 



Geographical Distribution. Bahusia ; Southern Nor- 

 way (Smitt). 



In this species the delicate creeping fibre swells out at 

 short intervals into elongate subfusiform bodies, which 

 closely resemble the cells of Hippothoa ; a zooecium rises 

 from each of them, placed at the larger end. Opposite 

 branches are given off from the sides of these cell-like 

 expansions. The zooecia are at once distinguishable from 

 those of Aetea anguina by their larger size and stouter habit, 

 their erect growth, the absence of the spatulate head, and 

 the greater length of the area in proportion to that of the 

 cell. The creeping fibre is also more delicate, and the 

 swellings in its course larger and more regular in form, 

 and finely striated transversely. 



I have met with no varieties intermediate between these 

 two very distinct forms. 



The oral portion of the cells is very apt to be broken 

 oflP ; and when this is the case the species resembles an Hip- 

 pothoa with a produced tubular orifice (Plate I. fig. 7) *. 



* Though I have no doubt that Couch founded his Hippothoa sica on 

 maimed and imperfect specimens of the present form, his name has, in my 

 judgment, no claim to adoption. He had only seen the creeping base 

 vfi^ portions of the cells attached to it ; and his description, therefore, gives 

 no idea whatever of the real character of the species. He knew nothing of 

 its true cells, and so mistook it for an Hippothoa with a tubular mouth. As 

 no student could identify Aetea recta by means of the diagnosis which he 

 has given us, as indeed its must essential feature is not included in that 



