Zoology.-] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Polyzoa. 



•The zooecia are much elongated downwards, almost trumpet- 

 shaped, the area oval, surrounded by a thickened margin. When 

 the zooecia are closely packed, their real structure is not easily 

 made out, but when straggling over a narrow alga, it is well seen, 

 as in the figure. 



Explanation op Figure. 

 Plate 127. — Fig. 7, portion of a specimen on a narrow alga, magnified. 



Plate 127, Fig. 8. 

 MEMBRANIPORA SPINOSA (Quoy and Gaimard). 



Description. — Zooecia irregularly arranged, extending downwards beyond the 

 area, which is sub-circular, with a thickened rim ; a fringe of (about 7) long, rigid, 

 pointed spines, usually united at their bases, surrounding the upper part of the 

 zooccium. 



References. — Figured by Busk in Polyzoa of Kerguelen's Land, Phil. Trans., 

 vol. 168, pi. x., fig. 3; P. H. MacGillivray, Trans. Roy. Soc. Vict, Dec. 1881. 



I have not seen the description in the voyage of the Astrolabe, 

 and Busk's figure represents the zooecia as much more regular, 

 and does not show the common basis supporting the fringe of long, 

 stiff spines. This is rather exaggerated in the figure, taken from a 

 specimen where it was well marked, and in some cases it is almost 

 wanting. It is only at the extreme edge of the zoaria that the 

 arrangement of the zooecia can be seen, being obscured at the 

 other parts by the dense forest of spines. 



Explanation op Figure. 



Plate 127. — Fig. 8, small portion, magnified. The common basis uniting the spines has 

 been made too large. 



The specimens and descriptions of these additional species of 

 Membranipora have been presented by Mr. MacGillivray. 



Frederick McCoy. 



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