7. Anthozoa (incl. Hydrocorallia). B. Alcyonaria. 33 



as they have an ectodernric horny envelope besides the usual discoidal spicules; 

 near to X. antarct. stand capensis and uniserta both with only two rows of 

 pinnules on each tentacle. (2) The Tubiporidse resemble A. viridis in both 

 of which there are horizontal stolonic platforms from which new buds arise. 

 (3) The Telestidse, the chief character of which is the formation of lateral 

 polyps by budding from the stolonic network in the body wall of an axial 

 primary polyp, are derivable from tbe Cornularidse through such a transition 

 form as Sclerantltelia. The Pennatulids and Holaxonia are derivable from 

 the Telestidai while the Scleraxonia are allied to the Cornularida?. The Alcyonii- 

 da3 arose from X. a/ntarct., wandeli, capensis and uniserta. From such extra- 

 tropical forms Anthomastus has also been differentiated. Later changes produced 

 enlargement of the polyp-bearing area leading to Sarcophytum and afterwards 

 to Lobophytum and Sinularia which last resembles the Xeniidaj in the re- 

 duction of its siphonozooids, in its canal system and in the presence -of several 

 rows of pinnules on the tentacles. The subgenus Erythropodium, related to 

 Sympodiwm through Rolandia coralloides, may be regarded as the point of 

 origin of Alcyonium (s. str.) and Metalcyoniuni. The Nephthyidse have arisen 

 from the Alcyoniida?, the most primitive genus being Eunephthya, in which 

 there occur forms (Alcyoniformes) showing all transitions between the two 

 families ; Gersemia has probably been differentiated from this group. A further 

 stage in evolution is seen in the Nephthyiform Eunephthyas in which the polyps 

 are bound together in bundles. Along with the differentiation of slender, leaf- 

 like, much branched colonies there is a diminution of the mesogloea of the 

 branches and stem and a disappearance of the endodermal network well exempli- 

 fied by G. and E. Neospongodes is derivable from E. as also is Litophytum 

 while nearly allied to the last genus is Lemnalia. Nephthya and Capnella have 

 arisen from the Nephthyiform Eunephthyas while Dendronephthya has originated 

 from Neplithya, there being a number of transitional forms, and from Dendron. 

 has arisen Scle-ronephthya. Nephth. digitata may be regarded as the point of 

 origin of Stereonephthya from which in turn have been derived the S ipho no- 

 go rgiidse which form a terminal branch of the Nephthyids ; any resemblances 

 which they show to Gorgonids are due to convergence. The author regards 

 as primitive the discoid form ofspicule as seen in Xeniida?, similar forms 

 being present in Symp. cccrruleum while rods occur in Anthelia and spindles in 

 Clav. The spindles are mostly retained in the anthocodise of other species (in 

 Eunephthyids changed into pointed clubs) but the spicules of the deeper parts 

 of the mesogloea are very varied in shape. The more primitive species have 

 large anthocodise, e. g. Anthelia (where they may reach a length of 5 cm.), 

 Clav.) Ceratooaulon, Anthomastus and the two primitive species of Xenia. With 

 the progressive differentiation of the colonies there is generally a decrease in 

 the size, but an increase in the number, of anthocodise. Dimorphism is not 

 present in Cornularidse but makes its appearance in the Xeniidse where few 

 or numerous siphonozooids may be present. In Sinularia there are all grades 

 of reduction of the siphonozooids including their complete absence. See 

 Kiikenthal(W). 



Kiikenthal( 2 ) describes Alcyonium brioniense n. from the Brionian Islands 

 near Pola. It differs from palmatum in almost every feature of external and 

 spicular characters. Examples of p. found near Trieste differ from Neapoli- 

 tan examples especially in the form of their spicules, the former are provisionally 

 named forma adriatica, the latter forma typica. 



Harms has examined specimens of various species of Spongodes from different 

 localities and concludes that the knowledge of their anatomical details does not 



