ZOOLOGY. 7G7 



resenting even a new family of the group; specimens were obtained in 

 Japan and have been described by Prof. A. A. W. Hubrecbt under tlie 

 specific name Echinoptilum MadntosUi and the family name Echinop- 

 tilidfe. It belongs to the "section Spicataj," and (as just noted) "sub- 

 section Junciformes" in Kolliker's classification, and is "characterized 

 by the total absence of anything like an axis, which is present in all 

 Pennatulids except some of the primitive Veretellea) and the divergent 

 Eenilleae." 



The polyps form a dense colony, which is rigid on account of the de- 

 velopment of calcareous needles, "which, on the rachis, unite to form 

 projecting polyp cells." The needles are in the internal framework, 

 as well as in the investment ; the polpycells are arranged in less dis- 

 tinct rows than in Stachyptilum, and the ventral is not wholly de- 

 void of polyps. Of all the specimens available for examination the 

 polyps had undergone desiccation, and consequently could not be fully 

 described. But it appeared plain that not only does the new type 

 constitute a distinct family, but, according to Professor Hubrecht, it 

 must be also recognized as representative of a group of higher rank in- 

 termediate between the groups already known. {Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 

 1885, pp. 512-518, 2 pi.; J. B. M. S. (2), v. 0, p. 81.) 



Acalephs. 



Radial disposition of Acalephs and Ecliinoderms. — The problem of the 

 number of segments in the radiate animals has been taken up by Dr. W. 

 Haacke, and he has sought to determine the primitive number of such. 

 Professor Haeckel considered that the star fishes were nearer the ances- 

 tors of the Echiuoderms than any other group, because in them there is 

 a variation in the number of arms in some species, although in most the 

 number is five, while in the sea urchins, or Echinoids, and Holothurians, 

 the number is constant and always five. Dr. Haacke, however, main- 

 tains that in Amblypneustes, one of the sea urchins, he has seen indi- 

 viduals with four and others Avith six parameres or radial sections, and 

 that therefore Haeckel's views are militated against by such facts. As 

 to the Acalephs, according to Haeckel, the primitive number of par- 

 ameres in the Meduste is four, and with this view Dr. Haacke is inclined 

 to agree. He further thinks that it is possible that the typical number 

 of parameres in the Echinoderms is four and not five, but he admits that 

 the question is still an open one. {Zool. Anzeiger, v. 8, pp. 505-507 ; J. 

 E. M. S. (3), V. 6, p. 48.) 



ECHINODERMS. 



Crinoids, 



Several important memoirs on crinoids have appeared during the 

 past year, or late in 1884. One of these is by Dr. Herbert Carpenter, 

 and furnishes a volume of the series of niemoir§ devoted to the elucida- 



