128 W. M. Bale: 



assured that in S. loriilosa {fiirhivata 1) the operculum is formed 

 by a solitary flap. Probably the condition of the operculum would 

 be determined by that of the hydrotheca-margin, which may or 

 may not have the small superior tooth developed. 



The species seems remarkably variable in size. The usual height 

 is about half an inch, and according to Nutting often less, while 

 specimens are recorded up to two inches. It is also said to vary 

 greatly in the proportionate length of the internodes. as well as in 

 the distinctness of the nodes. These in my specimens are all of the 

 Avell-defined oblique type (sloping downwards from the back) so 

 familiar in many Sertularians, and Ritchie describes his specimens 

 as similar in this respect.. Nutting, however, describes the nodes 

 of the pinnae as straight, and Versluys says, " La partie distale de 

 la pinnule est divisee plus ou moins distinctement en entrenoeuds." 

 Tlie naked proximal part of the stem, which is divided from the 

 hydrocladiate portion l)y a very marked joint, is much shorter in 

 inv specimens than in the type. I note the peculiarity mentioned 

 by Allman and Ritchie of tlie pinnae falling off, leaving the basal 

 portions as a series of pointed spines. Much variation exists in 

 regard to robustness of texture, and to the distinctness of the 

 transverse ridge. 



Versluys first gave a satisfactory account of the species under 

 the name of Desmoscyphus inflatus in 1899. Allman's D. gracilis 

 was found by Nutting, from examination of type specimens, to be 

 identical Avith Versluys' species, and as the name S. r/racilis was 

 preoccupied, Nutting re-named the species S. vershiysi . Versluys' 

 name, however, held priority till Billard later, on examining 

 Allman's type, found that S. amplectens (1885) was also the same 

 species. Afterwards Billaid classed all these names, along with 

 S. flosculus Thompson, I), marginatn Kirchenpauer, and S. loculosa 

 Busk, as synonyms of S. turhinata (Lamouroux). As I have for 

 reasons already stated classed the two last-named species as at 

 least provisionally distinct, I adopt for the pinnate form Kirchen- 

 pnuer's name, S. vKirt/inafa. Kirchenpauer's specimens, like my 

 own, were without the gonosome. If, as is quite possible, our species 

 shovild prove to have gonangia of a different type altogether, dis- 

 tinguishing it alike from S. loniloaa. and from Versluys' species, it 

 would 1)6 advisable to retain for it the name of .S'. ntarginata, and 

 for the other form <S'. aniplerfois. 



It may be noted that it is to the restricted S. loculosa that S. 

 marginata exhibits, in tlie form of the hydrothecae, such close 

 afhnity. I have not seen it with the hydrothecae resembling those 

 of -S. tnrhinala. 



