94 Prof. A. E. Verrill on the Distrihution of Marine Animals 



yellow by transmitted light : this is Amouroucium stellatum, 

 v., described with the last in a former number of this Journal. 

 A third species* of the same genus is also common, although 

 still undescribed : this forms smooth gelatinous masses, 

 varying from light orange to yellowish in colour, with beau- 

 tifully stellated colonies over its upper surface. With these 

 were several simple ascidians, chiefly Cynthia parttta'\ j^\mi^., 

 and Molgula manhattensis^ V., while creeping over them was 

 a beautiful green species of PerophoraX^ which is the first 

 representative of the social ascidians discovered on our coast. 

 This species also occurred in abundance on the piles of the 

 government wharf at Wood's Hole, associated with the three 

 last named. In the interstices oi A. pellucidum were nume- 

 rous annelids of several species ; and growing upon or with 

 the ascidians were many species of hydroids, bryozoa, and 

 sponges. Among the sponges a massive sulphur-yellow 

 species {Spongia sulphurea^ Desor) is very conspicuous. While 

 young this species perforates and destroys dead bivalve 

 shells, but later in life grows up into hemispherical or irre- 

 gular masses. Upon the same bottoms were found the 

 common southern greenish starfish {Asterias arenicola), Am- 

 phipholis eleganSj Oouldia mactracea^ Eiilima oleracea on 

 Thyone Briareus^ Anachis avara, ColumheUa lunata, Cancer 

 irroratiis^ Libinia canaliculata, L. duhia^ Eupagurus poUicaris^ 

 E. longicarpus^ and many other less common species. On 

 rocky and stony bottoms, and especially in the tide-way of 



* Amouroucium cmistellattcin, sp. nov. Masses thick, turbinate, ofteu 

 incriisting ; surface usually convex, smooth ; substance firm, gelatinous, 

 translucent, but softer than in A. steUatum. Systems stellate, circular, 

 oval or elliptical, often elongated, or irregular and complex. Zooids much 

 elongated, slender, the branchial tube short, with six rounded lobes. 

 Branchial sac elongated. Colour of the masses usually light orange-red, 

 varying to yellowish and pale flesh-colour ; the branchial orifices with 

 six radiating white lines. Zooids generally orange-yellow ; the orifices 

 and tubes with upper part of mantle bright orange or lemon-yellow ; 

 branchial sac usually flesh-colour or pale yellow, sometimes bright 

 orange ; stomach with bright orange-red glandular ribs ; mantle with 

 minute opaque white specks. 



t Cynthia stellifera, V., proves to be a depressed variety of this 

 species. 



X rei'ojjhora viridis, sp. nov. Individuals small, about '10 to '12 of an 

 inch high, connected by slender stolons, and thickly covering the surfaces 

 over which they creep. Test compressed, seen from the side scarcely 

 higher than broad, oval, elliptical, or subcircidar, often one-sided or 

 distorted, with a short pedicle or subsessile at base. Branchial orifice 

 large, terminal ; anal lateral or subterminal, both a little prominent, with 

 about 16 angular lobes, alternately larger and smaller. Test transparent ; 

 mantle beautifully reticulated with bright yellowish green; intestine 

 yellow. 



