314 BOUGAINVILLIA FRUTICOSA. 



phores showing themselves under the form of medasfe — a view, however, which, with the very 

 imperfect knowledge we as yet possess of the bodies in question, cannot be entertained without 

 further confirmation. 



In the same figure a branch is represented which, instead of terminating in a hydranth, forms 

 a large fusiform dilatation. We are reminded liy it of a very similar condition occasionally 

 presented by certain Syncorynes, and which is there due to the presence of a parasitical Pichno- 

 gonidan (see p. 200). Indeed, Van Beneden describes the dilated branch in his species as 

 containing an oval body, which " avait bien I'air d'un parasite." 



3. BoiIGAINVILLIA TRTJTICOSA, AUmUU. 

 Plate IX, figs. 1—4. 



BouGAiNviLLiA rRUTicosA, — AUmaii, in Ann. Nat. Hist, for July, 1864. Hincks, Brit. 



Hydr. Zooph., p. 110. 



TROPHOSOME. — Htdrocaulus rising to the height of about two inches, much 

 branched, with the main stems composed of aggregated tubes, branches sub-alternate ; 

 PERisAuc without annulation, but marked on the smaller branches by shallow trans- 

 verse corrugations, w'hicli become obsolete on the larger branches and main stems. 

 Hydrantiis with about fourteen tentacles, which are more or less curved in extension, 

 with usually every alternate one elevated or depressed; body of hydranth nearly 

 cylindrical in extreme extension, and with the perisarc continued over it for a short 

 distance as a thin pellicle, which on extreme retraction appears as a membranous 

 corrugated cup, investing the hydranth for about a third of its height. 



GONOSOME. — GoNOPnoRES on moderately long peduncles, borne upon the ulti- 

 mate ramuli, where they occur irregularly scattered along the length of the ramulus.^ 



Colour. — Hydrauths jialc red ; manubrium and marginal bulbs of medusa, up to the period 

 of liberation, pale red. Perisarc straw colour, becoming browaier and more opacpie on the older 

 parts of the hydrocaulus. 



Develojnnent of Gonosome. — Autumn. 



Ilahitat. — Attached to buoys and floating timber. 



Localities. — Mouth of Kcnmare River, coast of Kerry, G. J. A. ; Firth of Forth, G. J. A. 



' In my original description of BougainvilUa frulicosa I assumed as a distinctive character the 

 disposition of the gonopliores, -which I then believed were entirely confined to one side of the support- 

 ing ramulus. Subsequent examination has convinced me that this character is not the usual condition, 

 and cannot be retained in the diagnosis. 



