MISCELLANEOUS. 77 



(3) Lepralia punctata. — Plate XXV. Fig. 2. — A specimen spread- 

 ing in no definite form, invested both sides of an old oyster shell of small 

 dimensions. One portion of faint orange colour, consisted of cells fashion- 

 ed as a conic frustum, with an orifice in the summit, and in position in- 

 clining slightly on each other. An ascidian hydra, with about 15 tenta- 

 cula, resembling some of the alcyonic hydrac, dwelt in the cells, fig. 2. 

 The orifice is not exactly circular ; and the base of the cell is environed 

 by many minute apertures, penetrating the incrusting substance of the 

 Lepralia, as best exposed in a portion, fig. 3, which had lost its tenants. 



Plate XXV. Fio. 2. Lepralia punctata ; portion enlarged. 



3. Another portion, having lost the hydrse, enlai'ged. 



(4.) Lepralia nitida, Dr Johnston. — Berenicea nitida, Dr Fleming. 

 — Plate XXV. Fig. 4. — The decay of a specimen of the Botryllus, cover- 

 ing part of a shell, exposed this product as investing a portion which had 

 been under its site. 



The Lepralia nitida consists of approximated ovoidal cells, somewhat 

 resembling a cask, with a wide orifice. Several ribs from each side joins 

 a broad vertebral-like line. 



Plate XXV. Fig. 4. Lepralia nitida, enlarged. 

 5. Cell more enlarged. 



(5.) Lepralia lineata. — Plat^: XXV. Fig. 6. — The form wherein 

 this product spreads over other substances is no farther limited, than as- 

 suming somewhat of a fan shape. But the cells are indistinct. Where 

 plainest, they seem an ovoidal segment with an irregular orifice, on which 

 one or more spines are seated. Rows of cells, as if radiating from a cen- 

 tral or interior part of the patch, and extending outwards, are separated 

 by lines. The exterior marginal portions probably indicating what were 

 originating, abortive or decayed cells. 



Soft-looking orange corpuscula are dispersed irregularly in the cells 

 during the month of July ; and in one specimen, they occupied almost 



