64 CLASS I.— ORDER I. 



EUCRATEA. 



A PLANT-LIKE articulated Polypidom ; each arti- 

 culation composed of a single cell, simple and curved ; 

 opening oblique. 



The cells of the Eucrateas, always simple, isolated 

 and articulated one to the other, have a more or less 

 arched form ; the curves they form, whether concave or 

 convex, are always on the same side of each branch ; 

 the openings are oblique, and placed in the upper part 

 of the concavity of the cells, which are all provided with 

 a filiform appendage of greater or less length, whose 

 situation varies frequently on the same Polypidom. 

 The form of the Eucrateas is in general elegant. 



Their substance is not very flexible, being more 

 calcareous than membranous : this circumstance, and 

 the extreme tenuity of the lower part of the cells, 

 renders them very fragile. 



Their colour in a state of desiccation is either pure 

 white or brownish fawn. 



Their height never exceeds three or fourcen ti - 

 metres. 



They are found on the Thalassiophytes and other 

 marine productions of the European seas. 



HORNED. 



1. EucRATEA cornuta. Hairs longer than the cells, 

 and issuing from the articulations. 



European seas. 



CLAWED. 



2. EucRATEA chelata. Very fragile ; cells in the 



