352 SYDNEY J. HICKSON. 



The time of year at which the spawning takes place is also 

 remarkable. 



According to Wilson, the spawning of the Pennatulid 

 Renilla and the Gorgonid Leptogorgia takes place in the 

 summer months. Moreover, in the case of Renilla, " the eggs 

 are always laid at very nearly the same hour of the day, 

 viz. 6 a.m.^' 



The following statistics as to the breeding times of certain 

 Alcyonaria at Naples are given by Lo Biancho (28), the 

 numbers referring to the months. 



"Alcyonium palmatum. — Con uova mature ii — iii, de- 

 posizione ix — x. 



''Gorgonia Cavolinii. — Con uova mature e deposizione 

 di larve v — vi. 



"Pennatula phosphorea. — Uova mature nei polipi xi. 



"Pennatula rubra. — Esemplari con uova iii." 



It would seem, then, from these facts that the breeding 

 season of different Alcyonaria, and even species of Alcyonium, 

 varies very considerably. 



There is not sufficient evidence at present to enable us to 

 give a very exact account of the distribution of Alcyonium 

 digitatum. It extends from between tide-marks to a depth 

 of forty or fifty fathoms, and does not, I believe, extend into 

 deep water. 



Professor Herdman informs me that Alcyonium digi- 

 tatum is very common in the Firths of Forth and Clyde, and 

 at various places in the Irish Sea. It is also common between 

 tide-marks at Hilbre Island (Cheshire), Puffin Island, and at 

 the south end of the Isle of Man. 



Canon Norman informs me that he has dredged the species 

 in the Bergen and Hardanger fjords in Norway, and believes 

 that it occurs much further north. 



As the determination of the species of Alcyonium is a matter 

 that requires some care, all that can be said at present is that 

 there is no evidence that it occurs outside the area of the North 

 European coasts. 



There are only two species of the genus Alcyonium found in 



