326 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



38. LEPRALIA GATTY.E, Busk. (Plate XVIII. fig. 71.) 



Hab. Discovered by Mrs. Gatty, of Ecclesfield, on Phyl- 

 lophora rubens, from Sidmouth and Jersey. 



The following description is from the pen of Mrs. Gatty. 



" A delicate and beautiful Lepralia, of transparent tex- 

 ture, found hitherto only on Phyllophora rubens; and 

 being usually surrounded by patches of other varieties of 

 its race of larger size, it is very apt to be overlooked. Its 

 very minute size is, however, an almost sure guide by which 

 to find it ; and when once seen through a tolerably good 

 lens, it can never be mistaken for any of its relatives. The 

 commonest observer, who can see it at all, will see that the 

 centre of each cell is ornamented with a rich pattern, whereas 

 other Lepralice are either dotted all over the cell, or round 

 the sides, leaving the centre plain, or across the cell in 

 lines. The pattern of L. Gattya, therefore, thrown as it is 

 on the middle of the cell, is a very characteristic feature. 

 There are two other characters which separate it entirely 

 from other species; but these require a stronger glass to 

 detect them. At the foot of each of the five spines that 

 surround the mouth or aperture, there is a black ring. (See 

 the Plate.) [This is supposed by Mr. Busk to be a flexible 

 joint, similar to that of Crisia denticulataJ] And below 



