274 ZOOPHYTES. 



the beauty of our prettiest marine plants, and in- 

 festing alike animal and vegetable productions of 

 the ocean. In some cases we can at once see that 

 these scaly patches are congregated cells ; but it 

 needs microscopic aid to reveal to us the fact, that 

 in different species these cells are of different 

 forms, and that in each cell lies a living creature, 

 which, when it needs to bring the prey to its 

 mouth, can awake to most vigorous activity, and 

 extend its arms, covered with minute cilia or hairs, 

 from the opening of its dwelling. The Lepraliae, 

 or sea scurfs, are thin calcareous crusts of white, 

 yellow, or reddish, or purplish tints. There are 

 more than thirty-five described species, and more 

 probably remain yet to be discovered. The care- 

 less passers by would scarcely see them, or deem 

 them but deformities ; but 

 our engraving, which re- 

 presents the magnified 

 cells of two species, will 

 show that they possess 

 a beautiful symmetry. 

 Some of these scurfs are 

 confined to particular species of sea- weed; others 

 seem quite indifferent as to what surface they 

 encrust, some grow only on shells, but all are 

 parasitical. 



The most common zoophyte of this class is that 

 represented by our figure, which is known, though 

 perhaps not by name, to all who have ever roamed 

 by ocean's margin, with high intent upon the 

 objects scattered around them. The large, horny, 

 brittle, leaf-like substance, of the colour of moist 

 wood, yet reminding us of a withered leaf, and at 

 some seasons almost as plentiful as if it had been 



