32 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



to belong to the same family. R. Hertwig points out that v. Koch's researches on 

 Antipathes larix, Esper, already referred to, show an interesting connection between the 

 form of the polyp in that species and the peculiar elongation of the body in the Amphi- 

 anthidfe. In Antipathes larix " the body is elongated in the direction of the skeletal 

 axis, and the transverse axis of the animal thereby appears lengthened, whilst the sagittal 

 axis is shortened. . . . Two pairs of septa, which correspond to the oral angles, 

 are sterile, and consequently comport themselves like directive septa, whilst the two 

 remaining pairs, lying in the prolonged transverse axis, bear reproductive organs, and are 

 therefore best termed accessory septa." In conclusion he thinks it probable that the 

 Amphianthidsfi bring about the transformation of the Actiniaria to the Antipatharia. It 

 is, however, necessary to determine whether the paired arrangement of the septa and the 

 presence of the directive septa can be demonstrated in Antipatharia, and whether the 

 sagittal and transverse axes have the same direction in both groups. The evidence 

 which I have been enabled to obtain on these points will be found in the chapter devoted 

 to morphology. 



Andres, in his work on the Actiniaria of the Gulf of Naples (73), discusses the position 

 of Gephyra dohrnii, v. Koch, which he places in his genus Sagartia, as modified in the 

 monograph in question. G. v. Koch saw in the sclerenchymatous membrane of the base 

 of this species a mode by which the axial skeleton of Antipatharia could be produced, 

 and suggested Gephyra as a bridge from the Actiniaria to the Antipatharia. Andres 

 points out that the relation is, so to speak, physiological and not phylogenetic. He calls 

 attention to the similarity in this respect of two deep-sea Actinians described by Moseley, 

 viz.: — Actinia abyssicola, found on the stems of Mopsea, and Actinia gelatinosa 

 on those of Gorgonia. At present data are wanting to enable us to decide whether in 

 such cases there is a true morphological affinity or only a parallelism of function. With 

 regard to the systematic value of the power of the " base " to secrete a basal membrane, 

 the following quotation is of interest : — " Forse non Ion tana parente e la Phellia nummus 

 che abita pure acque profonde, secerne abbondante muco solidificabile, ed ha macchie 

 marginali alterne chiare e scure. II carattere abbracciante (amplectens) della base ha poca 

 importanza ; perche gli animali talora aderiscona a corpi piatti con la base allargata come 

 un'altra attinia qualsiasi." 



In 1886 Koch (76) described a new species of Antipathes from the Gulf of Guinea 

 [Antipathes squamosa), which is allied to Antipathes spinescens, Gray, if not identical 

 with it. A new species in the Challenger collection [Antipathes cylindrica) has also a 

 similar " bottle-brush " type of corallum. 



In a recent review of the results of the cruises of the " Blake," Agassiz (78) refers to 

 the species of Antipatharia described by Pourtales, calling attention to the frequency and 

 wide bathymetric range of certain forms, such as Stichopathes pourtalesi (= Antipathes 

 spiralis, Pourtales) and Antipathes cohimnaris. With reference to the latter species, 



s 



