Zoology.] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Potyzoa. 



Plate 176, Fig. 3. 

 LICHENOPORA MAGNIFICA (McG.). 



[Genus LICHENOPORA (Depranc). (Sub-kingdom Mollusca. Class Polyzoa. Order 

 Infundibulata. Sub-order Cyclostomata. Family DiscoporellidEe.) 



Oen. Char. — Zoarium adnate or partially free, frequently discoid or cupped, usually growing 

 on a basal lamina, with a thin external margin. Zooecia partially free, disposed irregularly or 

 in radiating series, with the intermediate surface cancellated, the cancelli, however, sometimes 

 very obscure or almost wanting ; peristome usually lacerated or pointed to one side.] 



Description. — Zoarium encrusting, thick, raised into irregular mounds. 

 Zooecia frequently closed by a membrane a short way down, either entire or with a 

 circular aperture in the centre ; orifice very irreg'ular in size, usually oval, with the 

 peristome produced on one side into a thick, spout-like, nearly erect projection, or 

 sometimes divided. The zooecia in many parts arrang'ed on slightly elevated ridg-es, 

 radiating- from a depressed central portion; in the lower and intervening- zooecia the 

 peristome slig-htly developed, althoug-h often divided into two or three narrow 

 processes ; those on the ridg-es with the spout-like peristome entire or with small 

 secondary processes on the sides, always pointing- towards the central depression. 



Reference. — P. H. MacGillivray, Tr. Roy. Soc. Vict., July 1886. 



Port Phillip Heads, Mr. J. B. Wilson. 



The largest specimen I have seen spreads as an encrusting layer 

 over a calcareous mass, composed of Cellepores and other polyzoa, 

 and covers an extent of upwards of six inches. The whole is 

 covered with large, irregular elevations, which are again nodulated. 

 These large elevations are in part caused by the elevation of the 

 calcareous zoophytal mass on which it grows, but several of the 

 nodules, having a diameter of a quarter of an inch or more, are 

 entirely of this species, and in parts the continuous layer is of an 

 equal thickness. As in other species, the zoarium extends by a 

 basis or lamina, on which the cells are developed. The zooecia are 

 allied to those of L. (Discoporella) j^^'istis, of Avhich it may 

 possibly prove to be a variety. The zooecia between the rays and 

 generally over the zoariiun have the peristome not pz'oduced, or 

 but slightly, and divided into two or three sharp processes. Those 

 on the ridges have it produced on one side into a stout, spout-like 

 process directed towards the centre of the elevation. 



Explanation op Figures. 



Plate 176. — Fig. 3, portion, natural size, showing groups of radiating ridges. Fig. 3o, 

 small portion, magnified, showing two ridges and the iuterveaing depressed portion. 



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