488 AUSTRALIAN FRESHWATER POLYZOA, I., 



where it causes the same trouble as in the water-mains of other 

 countries. For the material which I have been privileged ta 

 examine, I am indebted to Dr. Stokes. 



Mr. — Bradley, of Adelaide, who has spent some time in 

 collecting and examining the freshwater forms of South Australia, 

 informs me that Plumatella repens and Fredericella sulta7ia are 

 abundantly represented in that State; but I have no doubt that 

 the latter species is wrongly named, and is none other than the 

 species, originally found by Whitelegge, which certainly bears a 

 very close resemblance to F. sultana, and might readily be confused 

 as a mere variety of that form. However, considering that it 

 differs from F. sultana in the shape of the statoblasts and the 

 number of the tentacles, in no small measure it seems w^orthy of 

 a new specific name. 



Dendy has also recorded Fredericella sidtana(1) from New 

 Zealand. 



Species of Plumatella occur in New South Wales, which,, 

 judging from the character of the statoblasts, differ from any 

 known species. It is deemed advisable, however, to refrain from 

 creating species on this information, until one has had the oppor- 

 tunity of examining the whole colony, especially so as this 

 particular genus offers great difficulties in connection with the 

 making of good species, inasmuch as variation takes place to 

 such an extent that it would appear that many so-called species 

 are no doubt mere varieties. 



Mr. A. McCulloch, of the Australian Museum, found in the 

 Nepean River, a mass of Polyzoa growing on a submerged stick; 

 and, judging from the nature of the statoblasts, we have in this 

 a new form; but unfortunately I have no material at present 

 available. 



It will be seen from the above remarks that there is plenty of 

 room for investigation in connection with our Phylactolsemata,. 

 and I am assured that a systematic search will prove very pro- 

 fitable, with a view to a further knowledge of the forms repre- 

 sented in our fresh waters, and the distribution of freshwater 

 Polyzoa in general. 



