252 NATURAL HISTORY OP 



Cellepora uitida {Lanik., Fahr.), Escliaroides nitida 

 (M.Edw.), Berenicea nitida {Flem.), Lepralia nitida 

 {G. J., B. Q. C, D. L., Busk, T.H., Smitt), Berenice 

 brillante {De B.), Membranipora nitida {Smitt). 



Hab. : Isle of Man {Forbes), Devonsbire (T. H.), 

 Cornwall ((7. W.P.), Ayrsbire, Ross-sbire coast {D.L), 

 Sbetland {A. M. N.), Berwick {G. J.). 



Tbis is a beautiful little species. " It is like a 

 miniature buman tborax ; tbe cross pieces representing 

 tbe ribs, and tbe broad band into wbicb tbese are 

 inserted being analogous to a sternum." — Hassall. 

 " We migbt suppose it tbe tborax of a pretty little 

 fairy.'' — Landshorough. 



Tbe colonies bave a sbining appearance, in fact an 

 almost metallic lustre. 



2. M. MELOLONTHA, Biisk. 



Lepralia melolontba {Busk, D. L.), Lepralia nitida 

 (var. G. J.). 



Hab. : Tbames Estuary {Lieut. Thomas), East Coast 

 {3Irs. Gatty). 



Tbis species was at first tbougbt to be a variety of 

 tbe preceding, but it bas been separated from it. It 

 derives its specific name from tbe fact, tbat many of 

 tbe cells resemble a cockcbafer or tailed beetle, in baving 

 a strong spine turning up almost at rigbt angles from 

 tbe bottom. Tbis species grows in a brancbed manner, 

 and not in alternate rows, as in M. nitida. 



Dr. Jobnston describes it as " brancbed in a fine 

 dendritic manner, like 8tomatopora dilatans." 



FAMILY XI. MICROPORELLID^. 



Zooecia adulate and incrusting, or forming erect and 

 foliated or dendroid zoaria; orifice more or less semi- 



