Zoohgy.l NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Polyzoa. 



Plate 195, Figs. 6 and 7. 

 VERRUCULARIA DICHOTOMA (Busk, sp.). 



[Genus VERRUCULARIA (von Sure). (Sub-kingdom Mollusca. Class Polyzoa. Order 

 lufundibulata. Sub-order Cheilostomata. Family Farciminariidae.) 



Gen. Char. — Zooecia elliptical or rounded, convex, bordered by a narrow chitinous line, 

 alternate in longitudinal series, separated laterally by an intercellular substance. Mouth a 

 little below the summit. No avicularia.] 



. Description. — Zoarium membranous, consisting- of bi- or trichotomously divided 

 branches. Zooecia arranged around an imaginary axis, alternate in longitudinal 

 series separated by a smooth intercellular space, elliptical or ovate, separated from 

 those of the same series by a narrow quadrate space ; each zooecium surrounded 

 by a narrow chitinous rim, a similar line also on each side of the spaces joining 

 those of a series; mouth above the middle of the zooecium, rounded, the lower 

 lip forming a projecting membranous valve. 



References. — Farciminaria dichotoma, Busk. Quart. Journ. Mic. Sc, New 

 Ser. i. 155. Flustrella dichotovia, Hincks, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., May, 1884. 



Port Phillip Heads. 



This species has a close affinity in its structure to Flustrella, but 

 I cannot agree with Hincks in referring it to that ctenostomatous 

 genus. It, however, undoubtedly forms a close connecting link 

 between the two sub-orders. It seems to me that, notwithstanding 

 the absence of avicularia and ooecia and the structure of the mouth, 

 it ought more properly to be referred, as has been done by Busk, 

 to a family of Cheilostomata along with Farciminaria. 



It occui's in tufts, one or two inches high, consisting of numerous 

 di- or trichotomously divided cyUndrical branches. The zoojcia are 

 arranged in usually six longitudinal series, separated from each 

 other by a continuous intercellular substance ; each zooecium is 

 surrounded by a narrow chitinous line, a similar line also bounding 

 the space by which the cells of a series are sepai'ated from each 

 other. They are convex ; the mouth 'projects, the lower lip 

 forming a nearly quadi-ate flap with a narrow thickened chitinous 

 rim. 



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