66 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS I PALAEONTOLOGY. 



1817), but the genus differs from Cellaria in the foliaceous and compressed 

 zoarium, carrying zocecia on both sides (see Busk, 1859, p. 69, and 1884, 



P- 95)- 



Record of specimens : Upper Rio Chalia; 3 fragments. 



Affinities: This species has some resemblance, in the form of the 

 zoarium and the general shape of the cells, to the type-species of the 

 genus, M. charlesivorthi M.-E. (Busk, 1859, p. 70, pi. 10, f. 4) from the 

 English Crag (Pliocene), but it differs in the absence of avicularian cells 

 among the other cells, in the absence of the raised lines on each side of 

 the mouth, and in the presence of the accessory (avicularian ?) openings 

 on each side of the mouth, and, further, in much larger mouth openings. 

 Of the two recent species described by Busk (1884), M. dubia is quite dif- 

 ferent, and probably does not belong to this genus at all. M. atlantica, 

 however (1. c., pi. 14, f. i), from off Monte Video, 600 fath., is closely 

 allied in the form of the zoarium and position of the mouth, but here also 

 the lateral pores are wanting, and the zoarium is narrower. 



Fossil species of the genus have been found aside from the English 

 Crag in New Zealand and Australia. M. angustiloba Busk (see Cellaria 

 ang. Waters, 1882, p. 260, pi. 9, f. 28-30, and Stoliczka, 1864, p. 155, pi. 

 20, f. 15-18) is found in the Miocene of Mt. Gambier, S. Australia, and 

 of Victoria (Busk, Waters), and in the Miocene of New Zealand (Stol.), 

 Pareora system of Hutton (1885 a, p. 209). But in this species the 

 zoarium is much narrower, the cells are longer, the mouth is situated in 

 the anterior part of the cell, and the lateral pores are wanting. 



Busk (1859, p. 70) says that besides the type-species, he was able to 

 find only a single other one, that he refers to this genus : Rschara acaste 

 of d'Orbigny (1852, pi. 662, f. 7-9); but these figures represent Esch. 

 achates. And, when he refers this species (achates] to Melicerita, also 

 Esch. acts, acmon, and perhaps actcea would also belong to it. All these 

 Upper Cretaceous species named differ from that Tertiary species under 

 discussion in the much narrower branches of the zoarium and the absence 

 of all traces of "special pores," and I doubt seriously that they belong to 

 Melicerita. 



The established range in time of Melicerita would thus embrace aside 

 from the Patagonian beds the Miocene of Australia and New Zealand, 

 the Pliocene of England, and the recent South Atlantic. 



