66 
PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS : PALAEONTOLOGY. 
1817), but the genus differs from Cellaria in the foliaceous and compressed 
zoarium, carrying zooecia 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. charlesworthi 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. 1), 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 : Eschara 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. acis, 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. 
