OCELLINA : CARYOPHYLLIA. 199 



generally three, but sometimes five lesser ones, of which the central 

 one differs from the others in being divided into two portions, the 

 innermost half projecting beyond the others towards the centre and 

 forming an inner series.* All the lamellae are arched, entire, stri- 

 ated on the sides, whence the margin appears somewhat crenulate : 

 they terminate about half way across leaving a plain centre which 

 is rough or tubercled. In one specimen before me the primary la- 

 mellae are 14 in number ; in another they are 20 ; Mr. Couch says 

 that they vary from 12 to 20 ; but Dr. Fleming gives about 40 as 

 the number in his Zetland specimen. A fine specimen from Oban, 

 an inch in diameter, and the same in height, has 67 lamellae in all, 

 of which 12 only are larger than the others. Height from one- 

 eighth to an inch ; diameter three-tenths to one inch. 



" The shape of this species is subject to variation, being either 

 conical or cylindrical. The cylindrical, the C. sessilis of Bellamy, is 

 low, and may be said to be blended with the rock on which it stands ; 

 while the conical ones, which have a footstalk, when arrived at a 

 certain size, may frequently be removed with the fingers. This I 

 considered to be the Turbinolia borealis of Dr. Fleming, which is 

 described as being ' widely conical and slightly bent,' and said to be- 

 come detached by age, but Dr. Johnston tells me it is the C. Smithii 

 of his work." R. Q. Couch. 



" It is to be found of all sizes, from a mere speck to an inch in 

 height. In a very young state it is sometimes found parasitical on 

 the Alcyonium digitatum, on shells, and the stalks of sea-weed ; but 

 as these substances are very perishable in their nature, and offer no 

 solid foundation on which to stand, large specimens are never found 

 on them ; on rocks and stones, however, they are frequently large 

 and in great profusion. In the youngest state the animal is naked, 



* Dr. Fleming describes the plates thus: "The lamellae are disposed in fours, 

 and may be distinguished into three different kinds. The first are the highest and 

 the broadest at the margin ; but as they descend into the disc, they become nar- 

 rower before they join the central plate. The second kind are narrower than the 

 preceding at the margin, but towards the middle they suddenly enlarge and join the 

 middle plate. The third kind are the smallest, and terminate before reaching the 

 middle plate. The space included between a pair of the first kind of plates contains 

 one of the second kind in the middle, with one of the third kind in each of the lateral 

 spaces. Those on the sides are rough, with small scattered tubercles, and their mar- 

 gins are curled. This last circumstance occasions the roughness externally, where 

 the longitudinal striae are the remains of the gills. The plate which occupies the 

 bottom of the cavity is smooth, variously twisted, and connected with the base of the 

 lateral plates." 



