_Zooecia._ The zooecia are slender and often very long; they are
strongly emarginate and furrowed, and the keel that contains the furrow
is conspicuous. The ectocyst is hyaline and as a rule absolutely
colourless.
_Statoblasts._ The free statoblasts are variable in length, sometimes
distinctly elongate, sometimes elongate only to a moderate degree; they
are rounded at the extremities and have the sides slightly or distinctly
convex outwards. The capsule is relatively large, and the free portion
of the swim-ring is not much broader at the ends than at the sides. The
fixed statoblasts are elongate and surrounded by an irregularly shaped
chitinous membrane, which is often of considerable extent. The whole of
the dorsal surface is covered with what appear to be rudimentary
air-spaces some of which even contain air.
The transparent glassy ectocyst and strong furrowed keel of this species
are very characteristic, but the former character is apt to be obscured
by staining due to external causes, especially when the zoarium is
attached to dead wood. The shape of the free statoblasts is too variable
to be regarded as a good diagnostic character, but the fixed
statoblasts, when they are to be found, are very characteristic in
appearance. _P. javanica_ appears to be closely related to Allman's _P.
dumortieri_, with which stained zoaria are apt to be confused. The
character of the ectocyst is, however, different, and the free part of
the swim-ring is distinctly narrower at the sides of the free
statoblasts. Dr. Kraepelin has been kind enough to send me one of the
types.
TYPES in the Hamburg and Indian Museums.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.--Java, Penang, India. Indian localities
are:--BENGAL, Calcutta; Berhampore, Murshidabad; R. Jharai, Siripur,
Saran district, Tirhut: E. HIMALAYAS, Kurseong, Darjiling district (alt.
4,500 feet): MADRAS PRESIDENCY, canal near Srayikaad, Travancore. Mr. C.
W. Beebe has recently sent me a specimen taken by him in the Botanical
Gardens at Penang.
BIOLOGY.--Very little is known about the biology of this species.
Kraepelin took it in Java on the leaves of water-lilies. It is not
uncommon during the cold weather in the Calcutta Zoological Gardens on
floating seeds and sticks and on the stems of bulrushes; in Travancore I
took it in November on the submerged leaves of _Pandani_ growing at the
edge of a canal of slightly brackish water. Mr. Hodgart, the collector
of the Indian Museum, found it in the R. Jharai on the stems of
water-plants at a time of flood in the "rains." In Calcutta it is often
found entangled with _P. fruticosa_ and _P. emarginata_.
32. Plumatella diffusa, _Leidy_. (Plate IV, fig. 2.)
_Plumatella diffusa_, Leidy, P. Ac. Philad. v, p. 261
(1852).
_Plumatella diffusa_, Allman, Mon. Fresh-Water Polyzoa, p.
105 (1857).
_Plumatella diffusa_, Hyatt, Comm. Essex Inst. iv, pl. viii,
figs. 11, 12 (1866).
_Plumatella diffusa_, _id._, _ibid._ v, p. 107, fig. 12
(1868).
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