DISTORTED SPECIMEN. 



453 



inner surface of a shell. At fig. B, a portion of the same species is shown as it appears 

 when magnified, and is given to exhibit not only the method in which the cells are sunk 

 into the polyzoary, but the mode in which the branches are developed from each other. 



At fig. C is delineated a portion of the appropriately named Tubulipora serpens, a 

 bein^ which has the cells even more elongated than in the Pustulopora which has been 

 lately described. The singular resemblance between the lengthened cells of this species 

 and the hard shelly tubes of the well-known Serpula, so familiar on account of its scarlet 

 and white plumes and marvellously engraved stopper, must be evident to every one who 

 has seen the little creature, or even noticed its empty habitation. 



Fig. D represents a curious species, called from its shape Discopora patina, the former 

 word being of Greek origin and given in allusion to its disc-like form, and the latter 

 beino 1 a Latin word signifying a flat dish like our present champagne glasses. The nume- 

 rous pores or orifices through which the animal protrudes, are seen upon the surface. A 

 magnified example of the same species is seen at fig. E, ha.ving been broken asunder in 



POLYZOA, VI. 



A. Alecto diehdtoma. B. Alecto dichdtoma~x C. Tubulipora serpens. D. Discopora patina. 



E. Discopora patina, x F. Discopora p&tina. x (Contorted.) 



The sign x signifies that the object is magnified. 



order to show the manner in which the cells are massed together, so as to produce a 

 honeycomb-like aspect at their mouths. If the reader will compare this with the last- 

 mentioned species, the evident connexion between the two will be readily perceptible. 



A very remarkable modification of the same species may be seen, rather magnified, at 

 fig. F. The original gemmule from which the whole mass sprang had made a mistake in 

 its settlement, having fixed itself upon a slender stem where it could find no space for its 

 expansion into the normal circular form. Being fixed, it could not move, but philosophically 

 made the best of the situation, and finding itself unable to spread into a single disc-like 

 body, and equally unable to extend beyond the supporting substance to which it was 

 affixed, adopted a compromise, and coiled itself into the singular form here represented. 



OUK next group of polyzoa exhibits some very remarkable forms. At fig. A is seen a 

 specimen of the Serialaria lendigeri, a species which without the aid of a lens presents no 

 particular points of interest, but, when magnified, is seen to be a really curious being. 

 Two branches of this creature are represented at fig. B, as seen when moderately magnified, 

 and the further details of its structure are given at fig. C, where the polypes are shown 

 protruding from their bases, and the peculiar dottings of the cells are seen. It will be 



