G. POLYPHYSA. 
Ill 
POLYPHYSA, 
A simple stem, fistular, filiform, and surmounted 
with from eight to twelve polypous pyriform bodies, 
all proceeding from one point. 
This Polypidom has a filiform and hollow stem ; 
simple, fragile, and cretaceous ; surmounted by a 
cluster of pyriform fistular bodies, which are filled 
with small white spherical grains, imagined to be 
the remains of the dried animal : by desiccation 
these pyriform bodies are compressed ; they become 
concave on one side, and convex on the other, re- 
sembling a small oval spoon. 
The substance of the Polyphysas is membrano- 
cretaceous ; they are brittle in a dry state, and 
become flexible in water. 
Those individuals which have come under my ob- 
servation had a whitish appearance, but it is said that 
in a living state they are of a brilliant green ; this, 
however, disappears on exposure to air and light. 
Their height never exceeds four centimetres, and 
the pyriform bodies growing at the extremities are 
each about two millemetres in length. 
1. Polyphysa aspergillosa . This is the only species 
hitherto observed ; it was found in King George’s 
Sound, on the western coast of North America, some- 
times known by the name of Vancouver’s Island. 
—Plate 8. fig, 2. a. B. G. D. 
