• TUNICATA. 359 



Belfast, in the bottom of a vessel arrived from the tropics in 1846. 



Teredo hipalmulata, Delia Chiaie. 



I found numbers of this comparatively small species, together with a 

 few of T. navalis, Turt., in the timbers of a ship on her return to Belfast 

 from a foreign voyage in 1846. Portions of the timbers were quite honey- 

 combed by T. malleolus, so that the vessel had in consequence to undergo 

 great repair. Turton described the species from specimens found in 

 drifted timber at Torbay. 



Genus Xylophaga. 

 Xyl. dorsalis, Turt. 



(W. T. Ann. N. H., vol. v. p. 14). In rotten wood at Ringsend, Dublin 

 Bay, Prof. Harvey. In wood from Dublin coast, Mr. Warren, 1847. 



CLASS TUNICATA. 



The Mollusca Tunicata have in Ireland, as in other countries, engaged 

 very little attention ; yet if mere outward beauty be any attraction to the 

 naturalist, where will he behold it more surpassing than in the compound 

 species of this portion of the animal kingdom ? Of every hue — arrayed 

 in purple and gold — will he find them even in this " cold and cloudy 

 clime. " 



Genus AsciDlA. 

 A. mentula, Miill. 

 Belfast Bay ; Roundstone Bay, Co. Galway, adhering to a stone be- 

 tween tide-marks, W. T. &c. 



A. rustica, Linn. 



Commonly investing the larger marine plants — -found on shells, stones, 

 &c. This species is much less common on our shores in the adult than in 

 the young state, when, assuming a Hattish oval form, and coloured like red 

 cornelian, it is seen beautifully studding our larger Fuci. 



Lamarck strangely considered that the A. scabra, INIiill., might be iden- 

 tical with this ; they certainly have no relation to each other. Nor can I 

 believe with him, that the A. jMtula and A. aspersa, Miill., have any con- 

 nexion with A. rustica. — Anim. sans Vert., t. iii. p. 123. 



A. venosa, Mull. 



Obtained by dredging in the Loughs of Strangford and Belfast ; first 

 distinguished as an Irish species by Dr. J. L. Drummond. It is remarked 

 by Miiller to be common about Chi'istiansand. 



A. j)runum, Miill. (?) 

 Procured in the same localities as last. 



A. conchilega, Miill. 

 Coasts of Antrim and Down, W. T. 



