(Stein '78; Perty '52; Clap & Lach. '58; Bergh '82; Pouchet '83;
Gourret & Roeser '88; Bütschli '85; Kent '81; Senn 1900; Schütt '98.)

The general shape is a flattened sphere with three long processes or horns. The cross-furrow is either spiral or circular; the longitudinal furrow is usually wide and occupies the greater part of the anterior half of the shell. The shell is thick, reticulate or striped, and sometimes provided with short spines; often distinctly porous. The anterior half is composed of 3 equatorial and 3 apical plates, the latter being continued into the horn-like process. The posterior half is composed of 3 equatorial and one apical plate continued into the posterior horn. The right posterior plate is continued into a similar horn which may remain rudimentary or be continued into a considerable process. Similarly the left posterior horn is usually developed, but remains small. There may be from 2 to 3, 4, and 5 horns. Chromatophores usually present, green to yellow brown.

Fresh and salt water.

Ceratium tripos Ehr. Fig. 25.

The body is somewhat triangular and bears three horns, two of which are shorter than the other one and slightly curved upward.

Length, including the horns, 290µ.


Fig. 25.—Ceratium tripos. [ ENLARGE ]

Ceratium fusus Ehr. Fig. 26.