282 BRITISH SEA-WEEDS. [^RhoJospenne^je. 



3. Melobesia fasciculata, Harvey. 



Hab. Found by Mr. M'Calla on the sandy bottom of the 

 sea, in 4-5 fathoms water. 



It is from one to three inches in diameter, irregularly 

 lobed. I have a specimen from Loch Eyan which perfectly 

 corresponds with the first figure of it, given in PL lxxiv. 

 of Phyc. Brit. 



After the description of it. Professor Harvey adds, " I 

 have mentioned that the vegetable nature of the corallines 

 is now distinctly proved. The question still remains whether 

 Melohesice are independent vegetables, or whether they be 



constructing their coral cottages, and lining them with well-wrought tapestry 

 in the peaceful bay of Laiulash. 



"When the Lima is taken out of its nest, and put into a jar of sea-water, it 

 is one of the most beautiful marine animals you can look upon. The shell 

 is elegant, the animal within the shell is beautiful, and the orange fringe- 

 work outside of the sheU is highly ornamental. Instead of being sluggish, 

 it swims about with great vigour. Its mode of swimming is the same 

 as that of the scallop. It opens its valves, and, suddenly shutting them, 

 expels the water, so that it is impelled onwards or upwards ; and when the 

 impulse thus given is spent, it repeats the operation, and thus moves forward 

 by a succession of jerks, or jumps. When moving through the water in this 

 way, the reddish fringe-work is like the tail of a fiery comet. The filaments 

 of the fringe may, for anything we know, be useful in catching their prey ; 

 they are very easily broken off, and it is remarkable that they seem to live for 

 many hours after they are detached, twisting tlicraselvcs about in a vcnnicular 

 manner. — Excursions to Arran, hij D, L., p. 319. 



