Zoology.] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Po/^m«. 



Plate 195, Figs. 1 and 3. 

 STIRPARIA GLABRA (Hincks). 



[Genus STIRPARIA (Goldstein). (Sub-kingdom Mollusca. Class Polyzoa. Order 

 Infundibulata. Sub-order Chcilostomata. Family liicclliiriidii!.) 



Gvii. Cliar. — Zoarium consisting of tufts of cclliferous branches attached to annulatod or 

 segmented, articuhitud stems. Zooceia biscrial, turbinate; aperture opening upwards and 

 forwards, and furnished with marginal or sub-marginal spines.] 



Description. — Zoarium erect, branched, branches calcareous, divided into 

 usually alternately longer and shorter internodes, distinctly articulated together. 

 Zooecia in flabellatcly branched clusters, articulated to one side of the upper extremity 

 of an internode, commencing by a turbinate zooecium from which two others arise, 

 giving' origin to dichotomously divitling branches; zocecia alternate, in two con- 

 tinuous series", united .side to side, narrowed below and expnnded above, the outer 

 angle frequently acuminate; aperture occupying rather less than the upper half of 

 the front of the cell, the margin slightly thickened; three or four long, curved, 

 hollow spines articulated below the margin posteriorly, and frequently a single spine 

 anteriorly from the side of the aperture lower down. A minute capitate avicularium 

 on the edge of the aperture below. 



References. — Stirparia glabra, Hincks, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist, March, 

 1883; Bicellaria glabra, Busk, Challenger Polyzoa, Part I., p. 35, pi. vi., fig. 1. 



Lome, a single specimea, Mr. Woostev. 



Forms tufts, two or three inches high, attached by slender 

 radical fibres. The stem and branches are calcareous, divided into 

 usually alternately longer and shorter portions distinctly articulated 

 together, the internodes enlarged at their rounded extremities, and 

 generally having a furrow caused by a deficiency of calcareous 

 matter on two sides. The clusters of zooceia originate from the 

 upper ends of the larger internodes. The first cell is turl)inate, 

 with about six long spines, and is articulated to a hollow in the 

 internode. Many of the shorter internodes are barren, but have a 

 small opening similar to those to which the zooecial clusters are 

 articulated. 



The figures and description are taken ft'om South Australian 

 specimens, the only Victorian specimen I have seen being a small, 

 unperfect fragment. It occurs also in Western Australia. 



Explanation of Fighres. 



Plate 195. — Fig. 1, specimen, natural size. Fig 2, portion of another specimen, magnified. 

 Fig. 2a, basal part of zooecial tuft of same, more highly magnified. 



Vol. n.— Decade XX.— Sc. [ 345 ] 



