A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia (Volume 2 of 2): The Balanidæ, (or Sessile Cirripedes); the Verrucidæ, etc., etc.Darwin, Charles
Science
A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia (Volume 2 of 2): The Balanidæ, (or Sessile Cirripedes); the Verrucidæ, etc., etc.
Darwin, Charles
Balanidae; Cirripedia
_Range._--This species is common on the southern shores of England
and in the Channel Islands: the largest specimens which I have seen
came from these quarters. The most northern point whence I have
seen specimens, is Tenby, in South Wales. This species is common
throughout the Mediterranean; I have seen specimens from Malaga,
Sicily, Algiers, and Smyrna; thence it ranges down the western
coast of Africa, as far south as the Gambia and Loanda, in 9° south
latitude. I believe British specimens are more often corroded than
those from further south. Amongst some old, ill-kept specimens in a
box in the British Museum, marked "Kingston, Jamaica," there were
some of this species: also I received some specimens, marked "S.
America," from Mr. G. B. Sowerby: again, Ellis, in Phil. Trans., vol.
50, part 11, gives a figure (Tab. 34, fig. 15) of some specimens from
the West Indies, which I believe to be _B. perforatus_: hence, it is
in some degree probable that this species, like _B. tintinnabulum_,
and _amphitrite_, and _improvisus_, may be found on both sides of the
equatorial Atlantic. _Balanus perforatus_ is attached, together with
_B. tulipiformis_, _trigonus_, _amphitrite_, _Chthamalus stellatus_,
and _Pollicipes cornucopia_, usually to rocks, near the lower limit
of the tidal level; but I believe, from specimens kindly sent me
by Mr. Mac Andrew, that it is frequently obtained by dredging;
one specimen was even marked 30 fathoms. According to Poli, it is
sometimes attached to the bottoms of vessels; and I have seen a
specimen adhering to the floating _Lepas Hillii_.
_Affinities._--This is a distinct species, closely allied to no other
species, but comes nearest to _B. lævis_, which is its representative
in Southern America, and on the whole west coast of that continent.
It is allied to that species, and differs from most other species,
in the general form of the shell, its small orifice, narrow radii,
and often deeply cup-formed basis. It agrees to a certain extent in
the colouring, though the purple here is much more prevalent, and
is not confined to the shelly matter filling up the parietal tubes.
It agrees with that species in the general structure of the scutum;
but the two or three deep, longitudinal furrows are here absent; and
the minute ridge, parallel to and almost under the adductor ridge,
is a peculiarity confined to this and very few species in the genus.
The terga differ from those of _B. lævis_, chiefly in the spur
being narrower, and in the apex being beaked. Lastly, the highly
protuberant segments of the one ramus in the first cirrus, and of
both rami in the second pair, are here remarkable. With regard to the
varieties, I have nothing to add to their short diagnostic characters
above given.
18. BALANUS CONCAVUS. Pl. 4, fig. 4 _a_-4 _e_.
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