APLIDIUM. 11 



The British species of this genus require careful re-examina- 

 tion. We have thought it best to reprint the original descrip- 

 tions of them. In pi. A, fig. 1, we have figured an Aplidium 

 from the Isle of Man, apparently identical with A.fallax, and in 

 pi. B, fig. \, one of the separated Ascidians of this genus, as 

 drawn by Savigny. 



1. A. Ficus, Linnaeus, (Sp.) 



Alcyonium ficus, Linneeus S. N. 12th ed. t. i. p. 1295. — Alcyonium pulmonis in- 

 star lobatum, Ellis, Corallines, p. 82, pi. 1 7, fig. b, B. C. D. — Alcyonium pul- 

 monaria, Solander and Ellis, p. 175, No. 2. — Aplidium ficus, Savigny, Mem. 

 pt. 2, p. 183. — Alpidium ficus, Fleming, Brit. An. p. 470. 



" This sea production is of a dark olive-colour, of a fleshy sub- 

 stance, and smells very disagreeably when it is opened ; the inside 

 is full of little oblong yellow particles, from whence it borrows its 

 name of sea-fig among the fishermen, from whom it was procured, 

 with many other things of the same kind, at Whitstable. When 

 I applied my glass to it, I found the whole surface covered with 

 small stars of six rays, like small polypes of six claws. Upon 

 opening it, I found the inside consisted of little bags of a yellowish 

 colour, full of a clear viscid liquor ; in the midst of this was a 

 small duct, leading to the centre of the star at the top of each. 

 On examining one of these bags attentively, I discovered several 

 regular figures like shells in this inner tube or duct, placed upon 

 one another ; but whether they are the food of the animal in the 

 gut or stomach, or whether it is the ovary, I am not certain." — 

 Ellis. 



2. A. FALLAx, Johnston. 



Mag. Nat. Hist. 1st series, vol, vii. p. 15, fig. 4. 



" Common body sub-globose or papillary, gelatinous, of a clear 

 honey-yellow colour, marked on the upper surface with white and 

 brown specks, from the contained animals ; orifices circular, protu- 

 berant, plain, and entire. Animals distinct, scattered irregularly, 

 each in its proper cell, perpendicular, about two lines long. 

 Branchial aperture divided into six equal short segments; the sac 

 large, white, netted on the sides with minute square meshes, which, 

 however, are very obscure ; oesophagus narrow, entering laterally 



