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XV. On the Anatomy and Physiology o/Cordylophora* a contribution to our knowledge 
of the Tuhularian Zoophytes. By George James Allman, M.D., M.RJ.A., 
Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin, and Examiner in Zoology and 
Botany in the Queen's University in Ireland. Communicated by Professor 
Edward Forbes, F.R.S. 
Received May 31,— Read June 16, 1853. 
Though the attention of several physiologists has been directed to the Tubularian 
Zoophytes, and though the elucidation of many points of interest in their structure 
and in the physiological phenomena presented by them has been the result, yet in 
numerous most important particulars our knowledge of the Tubulariadae is still very 
imperfect, notwithstanding the great value which a more thorough acquaintance 
with diese simple organisms must possess in its bearing upon some of the leading 
questions in physiology. 
It was with the view of filling up some of the deficiencies which still exist in 
our knowledge of the lower zoophytes, that the following researches were under- 
taken; and Cordylophora lacustris, affording as it does a fine typical example of 
tubularian structure, and being easily kept alive for months, was deemed peculiarly 
favourable for prolonged and careful observation ; the results, moreover, which have 
been obtained from the investigation of this zoophyte, have been in many instances 
confirmed and extended by corresponding inquiries, instituted at the same time into 
the structure of allied genera. 
^ It is certain that considerable confusion as well as much cumbrous circumlocu- 
tion might be avoided, by giving greater preeision and completeness to the terminology 
employed in the description of structure among zoophytes. With this view, I 
propose in the first place to employ the word polype in its most restricted sense. 
* The genus Cordylophora may be characterized as follows : 
Fam. Tubulaeiad.e. 
Genus Cokdylophoka, Allman. 
Char. Polypi tentaculis numerosis sparsis teretibus. Capsulce genitales subsessiles in ramulis ultimis 
pone polypos affixse. Polyparium pergamentaceum, ramosum, stolone fistuloso repente fixum. Embryo liber, 
subcylindricus, universe ciliatus. 
ISomen. — KopbuXrj clava et <popew fero. 
Species unica, C. lacustris. 
Habitat. In aquis dulcibus quietis, corpora varia submersa obducens, et locos obscuros amans. 
MDCCCLIII. Q r 
