STOMATOPORA FUNGIA. 439 



Zoarium in great part repent and adnate, irregularly 

 branched, giving off here and there erect fungiform 

 processes, consisting of a stem which dilates above into 

 a discoid capitulum, on the upper surface of which 

 a number of tubular cells are disposed; creeping 

 branches very stout, widening towards the extremities. 

 Zocecia slender, irregularly distributed on the branches, 

 sometimes in clusters of three, the anterior portion free 

 and usually projecting considerably ; on the capitulum 

 scattered, more thickly aggregated round the edge; 

 orifice circular and plain. 



Height of the erect fungiform processes rather less than 

 | inch. 



IN the descriptions of this form which we have from Couch 

 and Johnston the erect portions of the zoarium only are 

 noticed ; but these are merely the extremities of a creeping 

 linear base, similar to that which we meet with in other 

 members of this genus. The erect stalks, which bear the 

 expanded head, have usually a few slender tubular cells 

 projecting from the surface, though this is not universally 

 the case ; they are lineated longitudinally, and also tra- 

 versed by transverse striae. 



The capitulum is a circular disk, usually somewhat con- 

 vex above, but sometimes depressed in the middle ; it is 

 rather thick, and projects on all sides beyond the shaft 

 of the stem. There is in some cases a narrow edging or 

 rim round the head ; the walls are minutely punctate. 

 On its upper surface the tubes are generally ranged with- 

 out much order (they are sometimes obscurely rowed), 

 most thickly towards the edge, where they are placed 

 almost horizontally, directed outwards ; in the centre they 

 are usually few in number and suberect. 



The creeping portion of the zoarium resembles an ordi- 

 nary Stomatojtora : it is stout in habit, and has the cells 



