NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM. 123 



the L. gelatmosa, so admirably described by Pallas. Tbe com- 

 pound stem, sub-verticillated mode of branching, and crenulated 

 cells of that species, at once distinguish it from the others. L. 

 flexuosa is much more nearly allied to L. geniculata, with which 

 it has sometimes been confounded. Their distinctive characters 

 have been well pointed out by Dr. Johnston, and consist prin- 

 cipally in the annulations of the stem, and the length of the 

 pedicles. In both, the cells have a plain margin. The ovi- 

 capsule of L. flexuosa is much more elongated than in L. geni- 

 culataj and not so much constricted at the top. 



5. L. NEGLECTA, n. sp. PI. V., fig. 1, 2. 



Polypary minute : stem filiform, sub-flexuose, with two or 

 three alternate simple branches, each bearing a cell; the 

 stem is annulated with from four to seven rings above the 

 origin of each branch, and sometimes slightly ringed 

 below ; the branches are ringed throughout ; cells narrow 

 and deep, with alternate deep and shallow crenations, 

 forming about eight bi-mucronated denticles round the 

 margin. Polype wdth fifteen or sixteen slender tentacles. 

 Height "i^ths in. 

 On the under side of stones in pools between tide-marks. 

 Cullercoats and Tynemouth ; frequent. 

 This delicate little Laomedea^ though apparently not rare, has 

 hitherto escaped observation; or, if observed, has been passed 

 over as the young of the last, with which it is sometimes found 

 associated on the same stone. It is, however, not very readily 

 seen, unless the stone is examined with a magnifier. It difiers 

 from L. flexuosa in being of much humbler growth, more 

 slender, and in having smaller, narrower, and deeper cells, cre- 

 nulated on the margin. The crenulations are very difficult to 

 detect on account of the extreme tenuity of the edges. In their 

 sub-turreted character, they resemble those of L. gelatinosa, 

 though the shape of the cell is different, as may be seen by 

 reference to PI. V., fig. 3, where a cell of L. gelatmosa is 

 figured for comparison. That species has not yet been observed 

 on this coast. 



