396 Transactions. 



Genus Phlyctenactis (gen. nov.). 



AliciidcB of large size, with numerous short tentacles arranged in several 

 cycles. Column entirely covered with simple vesicles, sessile or on short 

 pedicles, arranged more or less in vertical rows, and communicating with 

 the intermesenterial spaces. More than six pairs of perfect mesenteries. 



21. Phlyctenactis retifera (sp. nov.). 



Pedal-disc. — Lobed, wider than the column. Only slightly adherent, 

 the animal being able to " crawl " about on it, and to become free and 

 float away at will. The colour of the pedal-disc is yellowish-orange. 



Column. — Cylindrical in form, and covered with large blisterlike vesicles, 

 which in the contracted state of the animal lie in contact, but in expansion 

 are separate. Their longitudinal arrangement is not evident, except when 

 the animal is expanded. They open by small openings into the coelenteron. 

 They appear to assist in the flotation of the animal. The colour of the 

 column is dark velvety brown. The mesogloea of the wall is very thick, 

 appearing as a homogeneous mass, bordered on each side by parallel fibres, 

 and crossed by oblique transverse fibres. I have seen no definite sphincter, 

 but the circular endodermal muscle of the wall is developed through its 

 whole length. The ectoderm and endoderm of the wall are not so well 

 developed as the mesogloea. The vesicles contain all the elements of the 

 wall. 



Tentacles. — Very numerous and crowded, in about six cycles. They are 

 simple, and conical in shape. Their colour is pale yellow. Their histology 

 is interesting. Next to the ectoderm comes a thin layer of homogeneous 

 mesogloea, followed by a thick layer of highly reticular mesogloea, then a 

 thin homogeneous layer, under which is the endoderm. (Plate XXVI, 

 figs. 1,2.) 



Oral Disc. — The disc is flat, with the mouth on a large mound-shaped 

 peristome. The colour of the disc is light yellow, that of the peristome very 

 dark brown or black. The mouth bears two bright-yellow tubercles. 



Stomodceum. — This is white in colour, and has a very thick layer of 

 ectoderm. There are 2 siphonoglyphs. 



Mesenteries. — There are 12 pairs of complete mesenteries, which are all 

 sterile, and 36 pairs of incomplete ones, which bear gonads. Two pairs of 

 mesenteries are directives. The muscixlature is very weak on the complete 

 mesenteries, stronger on the incomplete. 



Gonads. — Only ova were seen. These are borne in the usual way, on the 

 imperfect mesenteries. 



Habits. — This anemone frequents quiet pools among the rocks, but is 

 sometimes seen floating at the surface, oral disc downwards. Rather un- 

 common. 



Dimensions. — Fully expanded the animal is 18 cm. in height and 10 cm. 

 in diameter. 



Distribution. — Of the genus — New Zealand. Of the species — Cook 

 Strait. 



22. Phlyctenactis morrisonii (sp. nov.). 



This species was sent me (one specimen) from Stewart Island by Miss E. 

 Morrison, M.A. It had been some time in spirit, and was not well preserved. 

 It agreed in most respects with spirit specimens of the last species, and I 

 have no doubt that the two belong to the same genus. It differs from the 

 last in one important respect. The ova (which were very numerous in the 



