BUGULA PLUMOSA. 85 



stem ; when living, of a bright buff colour. Zocecia 

 biserial, alternate, elongated, much attenuated below ; 

 aperture occupying three quarters of the front, as wide 

 as the cell above, below narrowed almost to a point, 

 the outer margin raised towards the top and somewhat 

 bent inwards, running out above into a spine. Avicu- 

 laria very small, placed at a short distance below the 

 top of the cell. Ocecia globular. 



HABITAT. On shells, &c., from between tide-marks to 

 deep water. 



LOCALITIES. On scallop and other .shells, Salcombe Bay, 

 not uncommon ; Fleetwood, on a buoy (T. H.) : Polperro, 

 rare, on rocky ground, not far from shore (Couch) : Fal- 

 mouth (Miss Warren) : Northumberland, from the deep- 

 water boats (Alder) : Seaham Harbour, co. Durham, 

 between tide-marks (G. Hodge) . 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Adriatic (Grube) : Ros- 

 coflF, pretty common (Joliet) . 



ELtiVs name for this species, " the soft-feathered Coral- 

 line," is very appropriate. It grows in tall slender tufts, 

 tapering above into a fine spire-like point, and is of 

 very delicate and graceful habit. Mr. Couch gives the 

 height at four inches, or more commonly two and a half or 

 three. In Salcombe Bay it is found growing over the 

 outer surface of old scallop shells, but of much humbler 

 size, not exceeding an inch and a quarter. 



The avicularium is remarkably small; and this is its 

 chief peculiarity. The head is very much arched, the 

 surface smooth ; the beak continues straight almost to the 

 extreme point, where it is very slightly bent or hooked. 

 The single spine on the outer angle of the cell is some- 

 times short and conical, but is very commonly produced 

 into a sharp spike-like process of considerable length. 



