82 ZOOPHYTES. 



calcareous marine productions to the formation of the white coral of 

 warmer climates. It is particularly distinguished by consisting of a 

 number of branches, as the name denotes. 



Small specimens are of frequent occurrence ; those of larger dimen- 

 sions are rare ; the finest specimens being perhaps recovered from deep 



water. 



The branched Cellepore is usually of pure or dingy white, sometimes 

 yellowish, or tending to orange colour. It rises from three to eighteen 

 lines, or more in height, by a short stem, and then divides into a number 

 of branches, which probably multiply in proportion to the age of the 

 subject. 



The whole surface is occupied by cells, containing lively, active, almost 

 transparent, hydra?. These animals have about 15 tentacula, but this 

 number is not uniform ; and many of the hydra? are light grey. 



A specimen tending to orange colour is represented, Plate XXVI. 

 fig. 10 : — Its hydrse enlarged, fig. 11. Another specimen is seen, fig. 12. 

 The extremity of a branch of this subject, fig. 13, shewed a number of 

 stout spines, interspersed with the hydra;, — possibly indicating a variety. 



Many single red spherules occupied cells of fig. 10, which were vacant 

 of hydrse. 



The great irregularities of form and condition pervading the calcare- 

 ous zoophytes, represses the reference of individual specimens to particu- 

 lar genera and species. 



A specimen, extending scarcely three lines, of dingy white, and resem- 

 bling a portion of the ramulosa, occurred in April. Ascidian hydra;, with 

 about 12 tentacula, protruded from the prominent orifices of the cells. 

 Single reddish-orange spherules occupied those which were empty. — 

 Plate XXV. fig. 14. 



Plate XXVI. Fig. 10. Cellepora ramulosa. 



11. Hydras, enlarged. 



12. Cellepora ramulosa. 



13. Extremity of a branch of fig. 12, with hydrse enlarged. 



1 4. Portion resembling a fragment of the Cellepora ramulosa, 



with hydrse, enlarged. 



