532 



which the cell becomes adherent. This portion of the 

 cell bears a somewhat close resemblance to the end of a 

 quill prepared for pen-making. I am inclined to think 

 that the membranous area extends also over the adherent 

 part of the zooecia ; for, when detached, the lower wall is 

 generally found to have disappeared, as if it might have 

 been formed of more delicate material than the rest. 

 This structural peculiarity must separate the present 

 genus from the Vesiculariidte. 



BUSKIA NITENS, Alder. 

 Plate LXII. figs. 6, 7 ; and Woodcut, fig. 28. 



BUSKIA NITENS, Alder, North. Cat. loc. cit. 66, pi. v. figs. 1, 2 ; Quart. Journ. 

 Micr. Sc. v. (1857) 24, pi. xiii. figs. 1, 2. 



Stem slender, branching or anastomosing, with occasional 

 short spinous offshoots. Zooecia minute, glossy, flask- 

 shaped, rather ventricose, the anterior portion free and 

 slightly turned upwards, tapering towards the orifice, 

 which is terminal and placed at the top of a mem- 

 branous area, occupying the under surface of the free 

 neck-like portion of the cell ; irregular, flattened, and 

 adherent spines given off from the sides of the cell. 



Polypide with 8 shortish and rather stout tentacles. 



BUSKIA NITENS, though abundant, is so minute and incon- 

 spicuous that it readily escapes observation, and very few 

 localities for it have hitherto been recorded. It ranges to 

 extreme northern latitudes, where it occurs in a profusion 

 which shows the conditions of life to be congenial. The 

 stems and calycles of the various species of Lafoea are a 

 favourite habitat, and are often overspread with its bright 

 insect-like cells. I have also found it creeping over 



