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 

 being 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 familar 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 be- 

 ing a Latin word signifying a flat dish like our present champagne glasses. The nu- 

 merous 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, having been broken asunder 



POLYZOA, VI. 



A. Alecto dich<5toma. B. Alecto dich6toma. X C. Tubulipora serpens. D. Disctfpora patina. 



E. Disc<5pora p&tina. X F. Disc6pora patiria. X (Contorted.) 



The sign X signifies that the object is magnified. 



in 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 connection 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. 



OUR 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 moder- 

 ately 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 dotting of the cells are 



