328 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 
spreading irregularly, formed of a single layer of alternating 
approximated cells; cells oval, horizontal, membranous, the 
aperture patulous, with a hard calcareous rim.—Johuston, 
1. Mempranipora PILosa, dis. 
Hab. On seaweeds, abundant, and also on shells. 
This zoophyte is often met with in greater abundance 
than many would wish, as it completely covers, and in a 
manner conceals, the objects on which it grows. Yet, though 
when it is of a dirty white colour, smothering some delicate 
alga, we might wish that it were away, when the attention 
is turned to it in some of its finer aspects it is truly beau- 
tiful. When it is of a fine fawn-colour, clothing a little 
branching seaweed, it is quite lovely; and not less so when 
it spreads itself freely on some broad-leaved seaweed, as it 
often does, either irregularly or in a stellated form. It has 
then a silvery appearance, and many, when for the first 
time they examine it with a lens, and see its sharply-toothed 
and granulated cells, are so struck with its beauty that they 
conclude that this exquisite production must be very rare. 
Behind the mouth of each cell there is a very long tubular 
bristle. 
The polypes of this species are furnished with a singular 
organ, described by Dr. Farre and by the Rev. T. Hincks. 
