I50 THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. 



tentacles are recorded as occurring on tlie outer margin ot the disk and palmate ones around 

 the oral orifice ; in the present species, the few existing simple tentacles are stationed 

 immediately around the mouth as shown in Fig. 2C. This anemone will probably have to 

 be relegated to a distinct genus ; in the meantime it is referred to its nearest known affinity 

 under the title of Rhudmiis Howesii. The name here proposed for its specific distmction 

 is associated with that of Prof. G. B. Howes, of the Royal College of Science, to whom the 

 author is beholden for much aid in the compilation of this work. 



Included among the many varieties of simple-tentacled anemones indigenous to the Barrier 

 reefs, the species illustrated by Figs. 9 and 10 of Chromo plate III. presents special features 

 of interest. This type is remarkable for the length and thickness of the tentacles in pro- 

 portion to the size of the polyp's body, their distal ends, moreover, under the condition of 

 full extension, being greatly inflated. When only half-expanded, on the other hand, the 

 tentacles most commonly assume a simply subulate contour. The life colours of this species 

 are somewhat attractive. The relatively small depressed body is usually light or reddish brown ; 

 the shafts of the tentacles up to the dilated extremities are a clear dark brown, claret, or 

 purple ; and the swollen ends a delicate emerald-green, with a small white apical tip. The 

 species is eminently social in its habits, occurring commonly in crowded masses in crevices 

 and sheltered cavities among the coral-rocks, both at Thursday Island and in the neighbour- 

 hood of the Albany Pass. The broad external features of this anemone are so distinct 

 from those of any form that has been described, that both a new generic and a new 

 specific title have to be created for its reception. In accordance with the bladder-like 

 apices of the tentacles, the generic name of Physobrachia [pliysis — bladder, bracliiimi — arm) ma}' 

 be appropriately adopted for its generic cognomen ; while for its specific distinction it is 

 herewith associated, under the collective title of Physobrachia Doitglasi, with the name of the 

 Hon. John Douglas, the Government resident of Thursday Island, through whose liberal hos- 

 pitality and ever ready assistance the author was greatly aided in investigating the marine 

 fauna of Torres Strait. 



Two relatively small species of Discosoma, near allies of the giant species described in a 

 previous page, and illustrated by Figs. 12 and 13 of Chromo plate No. III., demand brief notice. 

 The latter, identified by the author with the Discosoma iiiinnnifonne of Leuckart, rarely ex- 

 ceeds two inches in diameter ; its relatively small dimensions, however, are compensated for by 

 its rich colours. The disk, which is pentagonal in shape, and the supporting column, are most 

 usually a rich purple-brown ; and the almost sessile spheroidal tentacles, which nearly conceal the 

 disk, are, for the most part, a brilliant emerald-green ; some few in its inner confines, and here 

 and there patches of its outer border, are of the same purple-brown hue as the body. This species 

 was first obtained by the author at Adolphus Island, in Torres Strait, and subsequently at Rocky 

 Island, off Cape Flattery. In the second species of Discosoma, which is nearly allied to D. 



