G. POLYPHYSA. HI 



POLYPHYSA. 



A SIMPLE stem, fistular, filiform, and surmounted 

 with from eight to twelve polypous pyriform bodies, 

 all proceeding from one point. 



This Polypidom has a filiform and hollow stem ; 

 simple, fragile, and cretaceous ; surmounted by a 

 cluster of pyriform fistular bodies, which are filled 

 with small white spherical grains, imagined to be 

 the remains of the dried animal : by desiccation 

 these pyriform bodies are compressed ; they become 

 concave on one side, and convex on the other, re- 

 sembling a small oval spoon. 



The substance of the Polyphysas is membrano- 

 cretaceous ; they are brittle in a dry state, and 

 become flexible in water. 



Those individuals which have come under my ob- 

 servation had a whitish appearance, but it is said that 

 in a living state they are of a brilliant green ; this, 

 however, disappears on exposure to air and light. 



Their height never exceeds four centimetres, and 

 the pyriform bodies growing at the extremities are 

 each about two millemetres in length. 



1. PoLYPHYSA aspergillosa. This is the only species 

 hitherto observed ; it was found in King George's 

 Sound, on the western coast of North America, some- 

 times known by the name of Vancouver's Island. 

 —Plate 8. fig, 2. a. B. C. D. 



