Verrill, JVofes on Badiata. 481 



This species is referred to Cereus mainly on account of its general 

 resemblance to C. helUs^ but as neither lateral pores nor acontia have 

 been observed, it nuiy belong j)ro})erly in some other genus. 



The original specimens I have not been able to find in the Smith- 

 sonian collections. 



Calliactis Verrill, gen. nov. 

 Adamsia (pars) Edw. and. H., CoralL, i, p. 278, 1857, (non Forbes). 



Column very changeable in form, in full expansion elevated, sub- 

 cylindrical, with a broadly expanded base, in contraction forming a 

 broad, low, flattened cone, or convex disk. Surface nearly smooth in 

 expansion, except near the base, where there are one or more transverse 

 rows of conspicuous lateral pores or cinelidcB, which have thickened, 

 permanently raised borders. Basal margin, below the pores, thin and 

 expanded, usually with additional internal lamellae intercalated be- 

 tween the larger ones that extend to the disk, all of which are usually 

 visible through the thin but firm walls. Tentacles numerous, slender^ 

 subulate, highly contractile. Acontia highly developed, emitted freely 

 from the cinclida?. Type, C. decorata [Actinia decorata Drayton). 



This genus appears to be abundant in the tropical seas, the species 

 generally living upon univalve shells inhabited by hermit cral)S. The 

 colors are usually brilliant and varied. It is allied to Adamsia, which 

 has similar basal cinclidse, but the latter has a low growth, spreading 

 to a great extent laterally, and the tentacles are short and imperfectly 

 retractile, while the base has the power of forming a tough pelicle to 

 extend the aperture of the shell ; its base also extends around the 

 aperture in two broad lateral lobes, which unite where they come in 

 contact, giving the body an annular form. To this genus belong sev- 

 eral undescribed species from the Pacific Islands, with the following, 

 and perhaps other, described species. 



G. decorata (Drayton sp.), PL 3, fig. 24. Honden L, in lagoon. 



C. tricolor (Lesueur sp.). "West Indies. 



C. hicolor (Les. sp.). "West Indies. 



0. Egletes {Adamsia Egletes D. and M.), SupL, PI. vi, fig. 17. St. Thomas, "W. I. 



C.fusca (Qiioy and Gaim., Astrolabe, j). 14.5, PI. 11, fig. 8 and 9). Amboinia. 



0. f polypus (Forskal sp.). Red Sea. 



Calliactis variegata Verriii, sp. nov. 



Base broadly expanded, adhering to shells, the edge thin and spread- 

 ing. Column broad, moderately elevated in expansion, when con- 

 tracted forming a low cone, usually rounded at summit. Surface in 

 alcoholic specimens closely wrinkled transversely and minutely corru- 



