Zoology.-] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Polyzoa. 



Queenscliff. 



I have only seen a single small perfect specimen of this species. 

 It is divided into short, thick, branched lobes. The cells are 

 immersed, the upper part convex and bulging forwards ; the mouth 

 is lofty, arched, the upper part much deeper and spout-like, in 

 consequence of the bulging forwards of that part of the cell. The 

 lower lip has a deep sinus. The cells are wholly or partially 

 separated by fine faintly raised lines. The surface is faintly 

 granular, some of the cells having a few slightly projecting eleva- 

 tions round the mouth, and many of the old cells towards the base 

 being areolated. The cells at the apex of the lobes have no avicu- 

 laria ; most of the others have one below and to the side of the 

 mouth, with the long pointed mandible directed upwards. Towards 

 the base of the polyzoary the cells are indistinct, deeply areolated, 

 no mouths in some parts apparent, but only a few scattered avicu- 

 laria. This change is due to the increased deposition of calcareous 

 matter in the older cells as takes place in other stony Escharse. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 48. — Fig. 2, specimen, natural size. Fig. 2a, portion, magnified. Fig. 2b, a few cells, 

 more highly magnified, to show the form of the mouth and the situation and form of the 

 avicularia. 



Plate 48, Fig. 3. 

 ESCHARA GRACILIS (Lamx.). 



Description. — Polyzoary forming- thick, narrow, rounded, branches; cells 

 deeply immersed, bulging" above ; mouth rounded, with a thickened lip, and 

 frequently a projecting- process or denticle inside the lower lip; a round pore on the 

 front of the cell below the mouth. Avicularia small, broad, with a short rounded 

 mandible. Ovicells immersed. 



Reference. — Busk, Cat. Mar. Pol. Brit. Mus., p. 91, t. cviii., figs. 5, 6, 7. 



Queenscliff. 



The only specimen I have seen is the one figured. The cells 

 are immersed and indistinct. The surface is marked with close 



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