POLYXENIA ALDERI. 33 
is a linear ovary. Each space terminates marginally in two truncated lobes, one on each side 
of the ovary, and always alternately longer or shorter. Each lobe, especially the shorter one, 
is slightly lobulated. From the centre of the sub-umbrella springs a short peduncle, very 
soon terminating in four linear-lanceolate, rather long, arm-like lips, white, tipped with rose 
colour. They project beneath and lower than the umbrella. The breadth of the disk is 
about two inches. 
I had referred this graceful creature to the Polyxenia cyanostyla of Eschscholtz, and it 
is so named in the plate. Anxious, if possible, to retain and illustrate an old species, little 
known, rather than add a new name, against my better judgment I persisted in this opinion. 
On more recent consideration, however, I feel bound to abandon it, and do so the more 
willingly, since it enables me to retain the name of its discoverer as patron-saint of at least 
one of the new species here described. 
It may perhaps be disputed whether the genus Polyxenia is its proper place, and 
whether I do right in changing the characters of the genus as above. An earnest conside- 
ration of the probability of the nature of the animal, very imperfectly described by the founder 
of the genus, induces me to do so. His figure of Polyxenia cyanostilis appears to me to 
represent a mutilated animal, deprived of its lips; and could we restore it, I believe the repre- 
sentation now given (Plate IV, 2,a@, natural size ; 2, 6, much enlarged) would closely approach 
the figure of the creature delineated in the ‘ System der Acalephen.’ 
or 
