FLUSTRA FOLIACEA. 117 



crusting network of cells, often of considerable extent, 

 which bears a close resemblance to a Membranipora. On 

 this crustaceous base they are crowded together, so as to 

 form large clustered growths. The nascent shoots are 

 wedge-shaped. The species is liable to many varieties of 

 habit. In some cases the fronds are broadly palmate, and 

 the segments into which they divide are much elongated, 

 and expand regularly upwards from the slender base, ter- 

 minating above in a broad, somewhat truncate extremity. 

 In the more usual form the fronds are comparatively 

 slender, the segments shorter and often bifid at the top. 

 Occasionally specimens occur in which the frond is semi- 

 elliptical, with the margin almost entire or shghtly sinu- 

 ated*, and with a distinct border, formed by a line 

 traversing it from side to side, at a short distance from 

 the edge and running parallel to it. (Plate XIV. fig. 10). 

 When examined with the microscope the margin of the 

 zooecia is seen to be very minutely beaded. The polypides 

 of this species are of very large size as compared with 

 their cells ; and the body is therefore very much bent and 

 folded upon itself during retraction. 



Much has been written of the scent of F. foliacea. 

 When freshly taken from the water it has a decided 

 perfume, not unlike that of the violet f ; but it would 

 seem to affect different persons very variously. Dr. 

 Landsborough found its scent like bergamot, or, rather, 

 like that of Verbena triphylla. It reminded Pallas of 

 the citron % ; others have compared it to " the mixed 



* " Broadening out towards the extremities, so as to present tbe outline 

 of Paclina pavonia." — Wm. Thompson. 



t " A strong and pleasant odour of violets." — Grant. " An odour 

 resembling that of violets after a shower." — Coucii. 



X " Recens e mari extracta amcenum, citri fere remulum, cum pelagico 

 mixtum odorem spargit ; quern et siccata aliquamdiu servat." — Elenchus 

 Zoophyt. p. 54. 



