12 LAFOEA CONVALLARIA. 



tervals from the creeping filament, cylindrical, deep, slightly curved in one 

 aspect, regularly annulated ; orifice circular with everted lip. 

 Gonosome not known. 



Dredged along with Ohelia marginata at Logger-Head Key from a depth of 9 fathoms. 



This elegant little campanularian was found creeping over the branches 

 of Obeliu marginata. 



Lafo'ea tenellula. 



PI. VIIL Mgs. 3, 4. 



Trophosome. — Hydrothecae very minute, slightly curved, contracted below 

 into a short thick peduncle, springing at intervals from a creeping tubular 

 filament. 



Gonosome not known. 



Dredged south of Marquesas from a depth of 140 fathoms. 



This is a very minute species. The form of the hydrothecoe resembles 

 that of the hydrothecoe of L. dumosa, but the whole hydroid is more minute 

 and delicate. The hydrothecte are usually marked by rings of elongation 

 behind the orifice. 



Lafoea convallaria. 



PI. IX. 



Trophosome. — Stem attaining a height of about an inch, simple, fascicled 

 below, sending off simple, non-fascicled, alternate pinna?. Hydrothecoe 

 stalked, alternately disposed along the main stem and pinnoe, tumid towards 

 the base and contracted towards the orifice, which is turned towards one side. 



Gonosome not known. 



Dredged from a depth of 152 fathoms off tlie Florida Reef. 



Lafoea convallaria is a beautiful little hydroid. Its cornucopia-like hydro- 

 thecoe on their short stalks, with their regular symmetrical disposition along 

 the main stem and pinnoe, give to the entire hydrophyton a remarkable and 

 very elegant aspect. 



The form of the hydrotheca appears to change somewhat by age, for 

 while in some the distal end is turned only slightly to one side, in others 



it possesses in common with the operculate genus Cuspidella. The cavity of the hydrotheca thus passes 

 uninterruptedly into tliat of the supporting peduncle, or if the hydrotheca bo sessile, into the cavity 

 of the stem or branch which carries it. Admitting the correctness of tliis view, it appears to nie 

 verj doubtful -whether many of the species referred to Lafoea are rightly so placed. 



