216 WRIGHT, ON THE GENUS ALCYONID®. 
was studded with short star-shaped spicula; long dendritic 
spicula were found at the base of and on the outside of the 
tentacles ; a few at the base of the pinne. In being retrac- 
tile, and in the absence of spicula, this new form, as also the 
Haimeia funebris of Milne-Edwards, shows undoubted affini- 
ties to the genus Cornularia, while they are abundantly dis- 
tinct from it and all other known genera of Alcyonaria on 
account of the absence of a coenosare. In one of my speci- 
mens well-developed ova were present at the base of the body, 
in the somatic chambers. It might not be imexpedient to 
divide the family of the Alcyonide into four (excluding the 
Tubiporide), instead of three, sub-families—one for the 
recetion of isolated forms, which should be called Haimeine ; 
including the genera Haimeia; and the one to be immedi- 
ately described. Cornularine, including the genera Cor- 
nularia, Sarcodictyon, Anthelia, Sympodium, &c. Telestine, 
with the single genus Telesthe. Alcyonide, with the genera 
given by Milne-Edwards. Excluding the Tubipores, better 
elevated to the rank of an independent family. 
Every such classification must, however, be considered but 
provisional, until more is known of the development of the 
isolated and aggregated Alcyonarians. Unfortunately, an 
unavoidable absence ‘from home caused the death of my 
specimens, from the great evaporation of the water rendering 
what remained too salt to support life, so that I was unable 
to add anything to the facts known on this subject. As nei- 
ther this form nor Sarcodictyon would appear to be rare on 
the west coast of Ireland, I hope yet to be able to investigate 
this matter still further. 
HaRTEA, nov. gen. 
Polyp solitary; body cylindrical, fixed by its base, not 
giving rise to buds or to the development of a ccenosarc ; 
tentacles eight, pinnate, knobed at their base; the basal 
portion of the body thickly studded with small star- shaped 
spicula; base and body of tentacles with long, dendritic spi- 
cula; mouth central, with two lips; somatic ‘Chambers eight. 
Hartea elegans, nov. spec.—The characters of the genus 
those also of the species; but, in addition, the height of the 
polype, when fully expanded, is three quarters of an inch ; it is 
of a clear white colour, save the basal portion, which is darker. 
There are no glandular spots on any part of the body; the 
secondary tentacles are generally borne more or less erect 
on the primary tentacula, not provided with enide. I have 
