146 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



Bay, Dr. Scoaler; Mr. Tudor, Bootle; Prof. E. Forbes, Isle 

 of Man. 



The little radical tubes of this coralline are often found 

 entwined around the stem and branches of Ilalidrys. 

 " Prom these arise little branches like feathers ; each 

 smaller division of a branch is curved, when dried, like a 

 sickle, and the denticles (cells), which are fixed in a row on 

 the inside, are shaped, when magnified, like the flowers of 

 the lily of the valley." {Ellis.) The vesicles are large and 

 very curious, resembling a swollen pod, with several cris- 

 tated ribs girding it. When recent. Dr. Coldstream states 

 " that they are translucent, and that six or seven dark oval 

 masses may be seen witliin each, which seem to be ova.'' 

 This coralline is a great favourite of mine, and it is often 

 found after a storm on the Ayrshire coast, and always on 

 Ilalidrys siliquosa. When in the water, or fresh from the 

 deep, it is remarkably beautiful; every branch is like a 

 handsome little feather, generally of a rich cream-colour, 

 occasionally finely tinted with red. Mr. Lister remarks, 

 " Many specimens all united by a common fibre, and all the 

 offshoots of one counnon parent, are often located on one 

 seaweed, the site then of a ])opulation which nor London 

 nor Pekin can rival. It is such calculations — always un- 



