MENIPEA. 37 



Meiiipea is distinguished from the Scrupocellarite by the 

 total absence of vibracula ; but it also differs from them 

 markedly in habit and what may be called its general 

 expression. 



The Menipea are, for the most part, climbers ; and the 

 (so-called) radical fibres are modified, in most cases, so as 

 to act as prehensile organs. This is the case with our 

 own M. ternata, and with all the smaller kinds. The 

 branches too are incurved or curled towards the extremi- 

 ties, and twine around zoophytes and algae like tendrils. 

 The habit of the group is irregular and straggling ; it 

 exhibits much of the freedom of growth and wild luxu- 

 riance which characterize the tribe of creepers amongst 

 plants. In all this it contrasts with the kindred group of 

 the Scrupocellarice , which are much stiffer and more com- 

 pact in habit, and generally erect in their mode of growth, 

 and which are never climbers. 



Certain sections of the Menipea are also distinguished 

 by the high degree of development which the corneous 

 joints, connecting the clusters of cells, attain amongst 

 them. This is remarkably the case in the very charac- 

 teristic and beautiful group of species which occurs 

 in the Australian seas. In these the tube which links 

 together the internodes is often of very considerable 

 length, and the glittering triplets or doublets of cells 

 appear as if strung on a slender thread. So transparent 

 are they and sparkling, that they might be wrought in 

 crystal ; over the aperture there often bends a pretty 

 antler-like operculum, while the margin bristles with tall 

 curved spines, which seem to embower the little mansion. 

 These spines are always attached to the edge of the aper- 

 ture by horny joints. 



Australian algae are abundantly wreathed and adorned 

 by the various members of this attractive group. 



