LICHENOPORA HISPIDA. 175 



crowded, oval in form, and with a very diminutive cen- 

 tral space ; in others the space at the summit is large and 

 subcircular; in others, again, as in the var. a, elongate 

 and often winding. Specimens of this composite growth 

 present the most varied appearances. In the meandrina 



Fig. 25. 



Var. meandrina. 



form the zoarium is generally a large, irregularly shaped 

 crust, sinuated and contorted, and often displaying great 

 unevenness of surface. The large straggling systems, in 

 which the lines of cells are more prominent than is usual, 

 also give it a very characteristic aspect ; but I think 

 it has no claim to be regarded as more than a very 

 marked variety. Mr. Peach states that the ostioles want 

 the stellate character which they exhibit in the normal 

 L. hispida ; and this is no doubt generally the case ; but 

 this difference is probably due to a peculiar state of the 

 calcification. 



In Mr. Peach's specimens the pores are in most cases 

 partially filled in by a kind of diaphragm, which would 

 conceal the minute denticles if present ; but in rare 

 instances I have detected them. 



The variety /3, with it> very numerous ivularly dis- 



