OCELLINA : TURBINOLIA. 196 



the identity of the species, for Dr. Fleming speaks doubtfully — 

 ''probably of this species," — but I cannot believe that the Pocillo- 

 pora indicated by him is in fact the Oculina prolifera of Lamarck, 

 as has been conjectured, for here there is a difference in genus ; and 

 Miiller, the last author to give one species under two names, enu- 

 merates both a Madrepora interstincta, and a M. prolifera in his 

 catalogue of the animals of Denmark and Norway. 



However, there is reason to believe that the Oculina prolifera * 

 is also a Zetland animal. Professor Edward Forbes informs me that 

 the figures of this coral in Ellis's Zoophytes, and in Esper's book, 

 recall to his mind a very large specimen in the possession of Dr. 

 Edmonstone, of Orkney. Until we have more specific information, 

 I rest satisfied with this indication of a native locality for the Ocu- 

 lina, for a more formal introduction of it into the British Fauna 

 would be yet scarcely justifiable. 



II. OCELLINA. 



Ehrenberg, Corall. des roth, Meeres, p. 75. 



24. TuRBiNOLiA,* Lamarck. 



Character. — Animal like the Actinia., single : Polypidom 

 simple., inversely conical, furrowed on the outside, pointed at 

 the base, and terminated above in a lamellated cup or cell. 



1. T. BOREALLs, " widely conical, slightly bent.'''' Rev. Dr. 

 Fleming.-f- 



Fungia turbiiiata, Fleming in Wem. Mem. ii. 250. — Turbinolia borealis, Flem. 

 Brit. Anim. 509. 



Hah. " Zetland," Fleming. 



" This species occurred in the same boat in which I picked up the 

 Caryophyllea cyathus. Though greatly defaced, it still exhibits 



* Madrepora prolifera, Fall. Elench. 307. Lin. Syst. 1281. Mull. Zool. Dan. 

 prod. 252. Ellis and Soland. Zooph. 153, tab. 32, fig. 2. — Oculina prolifera, Lam. 

 An. s. Vert, ii. 286 : 2de edit. ii. 456. Blainv. KcimoX. Z^O. Ehreiib. CovnW.m. 



* From turbo, a top. 



t The author of the " Philosophy of Zoology," and the " History of British Ani- 

 mals." He, for many years, discharged the duties of a minister of the Church of 

 Scotland ; and was afterwards Professor of Natural Philosophy in King's College, 

 Aberdeen. He is now Professor of Natural Science in the College of the Free 

 Church of Scotland. To his labours and writings, scarcely estimated yet at their 

 just value, I am inclined to ascribe a very considerable share in diffusing that taste 

 for natural history which is now abroad. 



o 2 



