96 NATURAL HISTORY OP 



This zoopliyte has been found by Prof. Allman at 

 Stromness, and described by him in the Ann. of N. H., 

 November, 1859, and May, 1864. 



FAMILY IV. LAFOEID^. 



Calycles tubular. Polyps cylindrical, with a conical 

 proboscis. — T. H. 



Gends I. Lafoea, Lamouroux. 



Stem a simple creeping tubular fibre, or erect and 

 composed of many tubes aggregated together, rooted 

 by a filiform stolon. Calycles tubular, sessile, or with 

 a short pedicel, without an operculum, more or less 

 regularly disposed on the stem and branches. — T. H.* 



1. L. DUMOSA, Fleming. Plate IV. fig. 7. 



Sertularia volubilis y8. {Pal.), S. dumosa (Flem.), 

 Tubularia tubifera {G. J.), ? L. cornuta (Lamx.), Cam- 

 panularia dumosa {Flem., G.J., D.L., R. Q.G., P.H.G., 

 Aid.), Cornularia dumosa {R. Q. C), C. rugosa {Gray), 

 Capsularia dumosa {Gray}, Calicella dumosa {T. H., 

 McA.), Laomedee touffue {De B.). 



Hab. : Very common and generally distributed. 

 Height very minute, and from 2 — 4 in. 



There are at least two distinct varieties of this 

 species. The larger is irregularly branched and formed 

 of parallel tubes. The smaller variety is very profuse 

 in its growth, and covers other zoophytes or stones, 

 forming " a kind of brown beard " upon them. The 



* Prof. Allman (" Report on Gulf-Stream Hj'droids," 11 n) says 

 that he regards, as an essential character of the genus, the absence 

 of any definite floor to the hydrotheca, the cavity of which passes 

 direct into the stem or supporting pedicel. 



