1 24 CATALOGUE OF THE ZOOPHYTES OF 



**Cells pod-shaped. 



G. L. LACERATA, JoJuiS. 



Campanularia lacerata, Johns. Brit. Zooph., Ill, t. 



xxviii., f. 3. 

 Laomedea lacerata, Hmcks, in Ann. Nat. Hist., 2nd 

 ser., V. 10, p. 8Q. 

 Parasitical on Plumidaria falcata in Berwick Bay. — Dr. 

 Johnston. 



7. L. ACUMINATA, H. Sp. PI. V., fig. 5 8. 



Polypary minute, scarcely branched; with a slender, annu- 

 lated stem; the annulations strongest at the base and 

 becoming fainter or disappearing towards the cell : cells 

 thin, membranous, finely striated longitudinally, elongate 

 pod-shaped, squared below, and tapering to a fine point 

 above ; the margin slightly crenulated. Polype reaching, 

 when extended, to tw^o or three times the length of the 

 cell, with about twenty muricated tentacles, united by a 

 web at the base. Height y\jth inch. 

 On an old shell of Fusus antiquiis from deep water. Culler- 

 coats. 

 This is an extremely curious and interesting sj)ecies, which 

 one would scarcely think of referring to the genus Laomedea, 

 were it not for its near alliance to the L. lacerata. The stem 

 rises from a creeping fibre, and, in most of the specimens ob- 

 served, bore only a single polype, but in two or three instances , 

 a branch bearing a second polype was seen proceeding from it. 

 The cells are extremely elastic and membranous, changing form 

 with the polype, and scarcely to be distinguished from it when 

 alive, excepting at the apex, when the animal is withdrawn. The 

 polype, when extended, stretches far beyond the cell, the latter 

 adhering closely to it and becoming cylindrical. The whole 

 animal is very extensile, and frequently changes form. The 

 tentacles sometimes appear short and stout, and at other times, 

 they are extended into long and slender threads, as in the fresh- 

 water Hydra, to which the animal then bears considerable re- 

 semblance. The tentacles are united by a web for about one- 



