536 OLWEN M. REE^. 



Anthopleura alfordi (Gosse). 



Classification. — Family Cribrinidse, McMurrich (=Bunodid8e, Gosse). 

 Genus, Anthopleura, Duchassaing et Michelotti 

 (=Aulactinia, Verrill). 



The following definition of the genus is that given by McMurrich under 

 the name of Aulactinia : " Bunodidae with the upper portion of the 

 column provided with longitudinal rows of verrucae, the lower portion 

 being smooth. The margin forms a more or less distinct collar, and the 

 tentacles are polycyclic and entacmseous. The six pairs of mesenteries 

 of the first cycle are alone perfect." 



Haddon has queried the last statement of the above [11, page 442] 

 because he includes in Aulactinia a species Aulactinia qelayn {=Condy- 

 lactis gelam., Hadd. and Shackl., 1893) from the Torres Straits which has 

 more than six pairs of mesenteries. 



The specimen of Antlw'pleura alfordi which I have examined also has 

 more than six pairs of perfect mesenteries. Therefore if these two species, 

 Anthopleura gelam and Anthopleura alfordi, are to be included in the genus 

 Aulactinia, the definition of the genus will have to be slightly altered (see 

 end of this section). 



Externally, the genus Aulactinia differs from the genus Cribrina 

 (Bunodes) in having suckers in the upper portion of the body- wall only ; 

 whereas the latter genus is more or less uniformly tuberculated. Delage 

 and Herouard in describing the genus Aulactinia say that there are four 

 or five cycles of mesenteries, but in this specimen of A. alfordi I have 

 found only two cycles, one of complete mesenteries and another of in- 

 complete mesenteries ; there is no indication of a third cycle. 



The external characters of this species have been described by Gosse 

 {Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 3rd Series, Vol. XVI, 1865), under the name 

 Mgeon alfordi of the family Antheadse. 



The specimen which I have examined was kindly sent from Valentia 

 Island by Miss M. Delap, in May, 1914. 



External characters : (The animal was living, but moribund after 

 the long journey.) The following description applies to the above 

 specimen : — 



Pedal disk : outline slightly irregular, in size scarcely exceeding 

 column ; wrinkled and appears capable of but slight adhesion. 



Column somewhat changeable in form ; at times widest about the 

 middle, at others considerably expanded at the summit. Substance 

 somewhat lax. The margin is crenulated with a series of larger irregular 



