370 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



This very remarkable coralline is so insignificant when 

 seen by the naked eye, that it would be passed over as un- 

 deserving of regard, except by those who have been accus- 

 tomed to scrutinize the " minims of nature." The only 

 specimen I ever had of it I received from Mrs. Gatty. In 

 describing the cells, she compared them to little beetles 

 that had lost their head. This is an apt comparison. As 

 the stalk creeps along shells, one is ready to suppose that, 

 if the head were away, the cells would creep also. The 

 aperture of the cell is quadrangular, and partly clothed 

 with a thin membrane. 



Genus XXVI. VALKERIA, Fleming. 



Gen. Char. Polypidoms confervoid, fistular, membranous, and 

 variously branched : cells clustered, ovate, with a narrow base. 

 " Polypes with eight regularly ciliated tentacula." No gizzard. 

 Johnston. 



1. VALKERIA CUSCUTA, Dodder Coralline. (PI. XX. fig. 7 8.) 

 Hab. West coast of England, Ellis; Devonshire, Mrs. 

 Griffiths ; Exmouth, rock-pools, Rev. Mr. Hincks ; Isle of 

 Wight, Mr. W. Thompson; Leith shore, Jameson; Pol- 

 perro, Mr. Couch; north of Ireland, Mr. W. Thompson; 

 coast of Ayrshire, D. L. 



