BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 313 



A rare species, with irregularly shaped zooecia con- 

 nected by short fibres. The orifice projects and is 

 tubular, and the margin of the cells is surrounded as 

 by a fringe with numerous bristles or setiform pro- 

 cesses. 



FAMILY IV. VESICULAKIID^. 



Zooecia contracted below, not closely xinited to the 

 stem at the hose, deciduous, destitute of a membranous 

 area. Zoarium repent or erect. — T. H. 



Genus I. Vesicularia, Thompson. {Vesicula, a 

 bladder.) 



Zooecia ovate, distant, disposed regularly in a single 

 series on one aspect of the stem. Zoarium phytoid, 

 rooted by a fibrous base. Polypide with a small number 

 of tentacles and a gizzard. — T. H. 



1. Y. spiNOSA, Linnceus. Plate XXIII. fig. 3. 



Sertularia spinosa {Linn., E. and 8., Jameson, B'ogg, 

 Lanik., «&c.), S. sericea {Pallas), Laomedea spinosa 

 {Lamx., De Bl., Temp.), Valkeria spinosa (Flem., 

 Daly ell), L. epineuse {Be Bl.). 



Hab. : Guernsey, Devon, Lytham, Isle of Man 

 {T. E.), Liverpool {D. L), Cornwall (E. Q. C), Menai 

 Straits, Jersey, Blackpool (J../S.P.),Cullercoats {Alder), 

 St. Andrews (Beid), Leith (D. L., jun,). 



This is a singularly graceful and pretty species. It 

 grows in tapering shoots to the height of several 

 inches. Under the microscope this species is easily 

 recognized by the pointed appearance of the branchlets, 

 which are very numerous and short. The zooecia are 

 arranged on one side of each branch, and are oval and 

 usually number three to an internode. They decrease 



