THE FAMILY ROTALIID^ 227 



crowded with sponge spicules, especially at the apices 

 of the test. No canal system. Tertiarij to Recent. 



Example. — P. miiiiaceuui, Pallas sp. (Millejjora), 

 ' Elenchus Zoophytorum,' 17G6, p. 251 ; Brady, ' Eep. 

 "Chall."' vol. ix. 1884, p. 721, pi. c. ligs. 5-9; 

 pi. ei. fig. 1. 



This is the small coral-like organism which has 

 been frequently referred by earlier authors to the 

 Zoophytes. Its branching dendroid test is usually 

 found attached to shells of molluscs, corals, and other 

 objects. The pink colouring matter is present in 

 specimens from fairly deep water, and is as vivid 

 in those from 150 fathoms as in those near the 

 surface. 



The encrusting species of this genus is usually 

 snow-white in appearance. 



P. niiniaceum is common in tropical and sub- 

 tropical seas, and its home is in the shallower waters 

 of those areas. Becent. (Plate 12, fig. Q.) 



