BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 329 



Genus III. Plumatella, Lamarck. 



Ccencecium confervoid, brancliecl^ composed of a 

 series of membrano-corneous tubular cells, eacli of 

 whicli constitutes a short ramulus with a terminal 

 orifice j branches distinct from one another. LojjJiophore 

 crescentic. Statohlasts elliptical, with an annulus, but 

 without marginal spines. — Allman. 



1. P. EEPENS, Linnceus. Plate XXIV. fig. 3. 

 Tubipora repens (Linn.), Tubularia repens {Milll., 



Gmelin, Turt.), T. lucifuga [VaucJier), P. lucifuga 

 {LamJc., Be Bl), Naisa repens (Lamx.), Alcyonella 

 stagnorum {Ekrenherg), P. campanulata {Van Ben., 

 Blumenhach, Gmelin, LamJc, Schiveigger, BeBL, Risso, 

 Gervais), Federbusch Polyp {Rose!}, Tubularia gelati- 

 nosa (PaZZ. ),T.reptans(riM'f.),Naisacampanulata(Iyam£K., 

 Beslongchamps) , Lophopus campanulatus (Bumortier) . 



Hab. : In dark places under leaves, &c., in lakes 

 and ponds. 



There are two varieties of this species, one which 

 creeps along the surfaces of stones and weeds, and the 

 other which is free. A combination of these modes 

 of growth is often found. As its synonym lucifuga 

 implies, this species avoids the light, and must be 

 looked for on the under surface of stones, &c. It 

 spreads in a distinctly dendritic manner, and is irregu- 

 larly branched. The orifices of the cells are long and 

 tubular. The polypide has about 60 tentacles, and the 

 calyx surrounding the base of the tentacles is a pro- 

 minent object. The statoblasts are broadly elliptical, 

 with a reddish-brown centre and a dark brown cellular 

 annulus. 



2. P. punctata, Hancock. 



