THE ALCYONARIA OF THE MALDIVES. 505 



group of species with minute siphonozooids from the genus Lohophytum, and to estabHsh a 

 new genus for its reception. The characteristic hardness of many of the species suggests 

 the generic title Sclerophytum. 



In the collection from the Maldive Islands were young colonies of Lohophytum pauci- 

 florum (fig. 12) and Sclerophytum densvm (fig. 18), which were mushroom-shaped. Several 

 similar colonies of Lohophytum and Sclei-ophytum occur also in Professor Herdman's collection 

 from Ceylon. The mushroom-like form of young specimens of these two genera is interesting, 

 and may lead to confusion in the identification of the genus, for the mushroom-like form 

 of the colony is held to be characteristic of the genus Surcophytum. We have now e\adence, 

 however, that it is not confined to that genus. 



It has already been shoivn that well-grown specimens of Lohophytum and the new genus 

 Sclerophytum may be very similar in form and appearance, but very different in anatomical 

 structure. Specimens of Sclerophytum occur also in the collection, which differ considerably 

 in outward form, but which are identical in structure (Sclerophytum durum, figs. 29 and 30). 

 The form of the colony alone cannot, therefore, be recognised as a generic or even a specific 

 chai'acter. 



In many cases the spicules of Sarcophytum, Lohophytum, and the new genus Sclei'ophytum 

 are distinct from each other, and may be easily recognised, but this cannot be regarded as 

 an established rule, for the zoned spicules supposed to be characteristic of Lohophytum occur 

 also in Sarcophytum latum and roseum (sp. nov.) ; the tuberculate spicule occurring throughout 

 Sclerophytum is to be found also in Sarcophytum in the species plicatum, boettgeri, and 

 apparently in nigrum. 



yhe following species which I have examined would be retained in the genus Loho- 

 phytum : — pauciflorum, crassum, and hedleyi. The new genus Sclerophytum (p. 516) will include 

 the species densum, confertum, maremelleri, tuherculosum, which have hitherto been attributed 

 to Lohophytum. 



All the specimens of the Alcyoaidae in the Maldive Islands collections were examined 

 for reproductive organs. In the majority of cases they were apparently absent. The re- 

 maining specimens contained ova usually exhibiting several stages of development in a single 

 colony. There does not appear to be a single specimen with male cells in the whole 



collection. 



II. GENUS SARCOPHYTUM (PI. XXVIII. figs. 1—6, 9—11). 



This genus was fii-st founded by Lesson in 1831 (p. 92), and forty-four years appear 

 then to have elapsed without any further account of it. Moseley in 1875 (p. 19, PL VIII. 

 fig. 2, PI. IX. fig. 9) carefully described the general anatomy of a species belonging to this 

 genus. Lesson's definition was amended by Marenzeller, 1886 (p. 351), and again by Wright 

 and Studer, 1889 (p. 244). 



After carefully comparing in detail the anatomy and histology of several species included 

 in the genus I find that Wright and Studer's definition holds good, as far as it goes, for 

 all the species which I have examined. It is necessary to mention, however, that the 

 mushroom-like form of the colony is not confined to this genus, but occurs among young 

 specimens of the genera Lohophytum and Sclerophytum. Moseley's account of the general 



G. II. 65 



