Mr. W. S. Kent on a new Genus of Madrejwraria. 121 



The following are the characteristics of the new genus (for 

 which I propose the name of Stenohelia), amended bj recent 

 observation : — 



Corallum dendroid, flabellif<5rm ; surf^xce of the coenenchyma 

 delicately striate. Calices all turned one way, pedunculate, 

 compressed transversely to the axis of their peduncles. Septa 

 equal, scarcely exsert. Columella styliform, deeply immersed. 

 Pali rudimentary. Calicular fossa deep. Increasing some- 

 what irregularly by alternate distichal or subdichotomous 

 gemmation. AmpulUe not essential, developed to a more or 

 less considerable extent. 



Stenohelia rnaderensis. 



Alhpora rnaderensis, J. Y. Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc. p. lOG, figs. 1, 2, 8, 

 p. 107 (18G2> 



Corallum flabellate, the main stem somewhat irregularly 

 and the ultimate ramifications alternate-distichal or dichoto- 

 mously branching, occasionally, however, as many as three 

 calices originating from the margin of the preceding one. 

 Branches cylindrical, delicately striate, sometimes coalescing. 

 Calices compressed, transversely ovate, peduncidate, all di- 

 rected the same way, those on the main stem becoming gra- 

 dually obscured by the outgrowth of the coenenchyma. Septa 

 scarcely exsert, twelve to sixteen in number, projecting but 

 little into the calicular fossa. Calicular fossa very deej), 

 having springing from its bottom a Avell-developed, styli- 

 form, pointed, and hirsute columella, surrounding which are 

 traces of rudimentary pali. Ampulla present in the shape of 

 rounded elevations of the coenenchyma studding the corallum 

 on the opposite side to that on which the calices open, the 

 surface of these elevations slightly echinulate. Long diameter 

 of the calices measuring from -^V to -^ inch, the shorter 

 averaging one-half of the same. Pleight of corallum of the 

 single specimen in the British Museum 3^ inches. Colour of 

 the sclerenchyma pure opaque white. 



Hah. Madeira. 



The foregoing description differs essentially in two points from 

 that given by Mr. Johnson, — in the first })lace, in the record 

 of a well-developed columella, and, secondly, in that of the 

 presence of ampullre, both of which characters appear to have 

 been entirely overlooked by the last-named writer. The 

 columella, though deeply immersed and scarcely a})parent, in 

 every instance, to the unassisted eye, is very readily discerni- 

 ble with the aid of the pocket lens, the assistance of a low 



Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser.4. Vol.y. 9 



