ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 151 



iS a calyx iu all genera of AlcyouidaB and Siplionogorgidfe. There is a 

 calyx in Clavularia and in Gersemia, and probably in Tehsto and Scleran- 

 ■thelia. Bnt the calyx occnrs in every degree of development, down to a 

 hardly visible ring at the base of the anthocodia. It must be noted that 

 Molander's conception of the calyx is different from that usually held. 



J. A. T. 



Membranous Forms of Colonies in Gorgonacea. — Arvid R. 

 MOLANDER {Arkiv Zoolocji, 11, Xo. 21, 1-19, 6 figs.). It sometimes 

 happens that a normally erect Alcyonarian forms a puzzling membranous 

 expansion. Thus, as Broch has shown, Anthothela grandiflora may form 

 a spreading membrane and show no trace of axis. Molander maintains 

 that Anthelia loreaUs and A.fallax are not Clavularids but Gorgonids. 

 It is probable that they are two varieties of Anthothela grandiflora. In 

 the same way — a rather upsetting way — Molander regards Rhisoxenia 

 alba as a membranous form of Gersemia fruticosa. These are very 

 interesting and important conclusions ; we venture to suggest the need 

 for proceeding cautiously with re-interpretations of this sort. J. A. T. 



Irish Actiniaria. — T. A. Stephenson (Proc. Roy. Irish Acad., 

 1918, 34, Section B, No. 7, 106-64, 7 pis.). An account is given, 

 with much detail as to minute structure, of certain sea-anemones collected 

 off Ireland by the Irish Fisheries Department. Among the notable 

 forms is Carlgrenia desiderata g. et sp. n., which is of much systematic 

 interest ; Cymhactis gossei sp. n., a rather curious species ; Actinernus 

 aurelia sp. n., externally like a jellyfish, with enlarged bilobed oral disc 

 and extreme reduction of the base ; two new species of Chondroadis,^ 

 with tough cartilaginous body-wall ; and the variable Actinauge ricliardi 

 Marion. J. A. T. 



Discussion of Leptogorgia irramosa (Grieg). — Aevid R. Molandek 

 {Arlciv Zoologi, 1918, 12, No. 5, 1-7, 2 figs.). A fresh diagnosis is 

 given of Leptogorgia irramosa (Grieg), an Alcyonarian that has borne 

 various names, such as Gorgonia pinnata Ratke and Pterogorgia pinnata 

 Grieg. There is little in the way of main stem ; the branching is 

 irregular ; the polyps are irregularly disposed or alternate ; there is 

 usually a distinct verruca ; the coenenchyma contains long spindles and 

 double stars ; the polyp-lDody contains long spindles forming eight 

 longitudinal double rows towards the base of the tentacles ; the spicules 

 are usually red or grey-white. J. A. T. 



Study of Renilla.— G. H. Parker (Journ. Exp. Zool, 1919, 27, 

 499-507, 1 fig.). In the interesting Pennatulid, Renilla amethystina 

 Verrill, the autozooids exhibit spontaneous withdrawal and expansion 

 with striking independence. The rhythmic contractions of the peduncle 

 are mainly concerned in distending the colony as a whole. As Wilson 

 showed, an enlarged siphonozooid serves as exhalant orifice, the other 

 siphonozooids serving for entrance. The former communicates with the 

 " superior canal" of the rachis and the peduncle ; the " inferior canal " 

 extends from the base of the peduncle to the rachis, where it com- 

 municates with the autozooids. The two systems of canals communi- 

 cate with one another at the basal end of the peduncle, and there alone. 



