BOTRYLLUS. 



Family BOTRYLLID^. 



Animals compomid, fixed, adhering by their sides in a greater or 

 less number, so as to resemble a single complex animal. Each in- 

 dividual with distinct branchial and anal orifices, and not connected 

 by an internal union. Oviparous and gemmiparous. 



Genus BOTBYL.I.US, Lamarck. 1801. 



Test irregular, gelatinous, formed of numerous systems arranged 

 in simple stars. Individuals horizontal, with the vent far from the 

 branchial orifice ; branchial orifices simple, ranged round a common 

 cloaca. 



In this genus the tests of the animals are fixed together, forming 

 a common mass in which the animals are imbedded in one or more 

 groups or systems, but the individuals are not connected by any in- 

 ternal union. The species vary considerably in form and color, 

 being purple, yellow, blue, gray, or green. 



Botryllus Schlosseri. 



Plate XXIII. Fig. 319. 



Botrijllus stellatus, Pallas, Lajiarck, Brug., &c., teste Gould, Inv. 320. — Couthout, 

 Bost. Journ. ii. Ill (no descr.). — Stimpson, Check List, 1 (1860). 



Alcyonium Schlosseri, Pallas, Elench. Zooph. No. 203. 



Botryllus Scfilosseri, Savign'y, Mem. pt. 2, p. 200, pi. xx. fig. 5. — Forbes and Hanlet, 

 Brit. Moll. I. 19, pi. A. fig. 7, and pi. B. fig. 7. 



It forms over the timbers and sea-weed a semi-transparent, ge- 

 latinous crust, studded at short intervals with minute stars. Each 

 ray of these stars is a separate animal, with its head at the circum- 

 ference and its tail descending into the jelly at the centre. (^Gould, 

 Inv. 320.) 



As will be seen by the figure referred to, this species may be rec- 

 ognized by the compound body, which forms a greenish yellow mass 

 in which are imbedded many purplish stars. Each individual meas- 

 ures one twentieth inch in diameter ; the compound mass is several 

 inches. It is also found in Great Britain. 



