23(5 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY t^ug. 



Achlya modosa. — This species appears to be closely al- 

 lied to A. perforans, the distinguishing feature being the 

 frequent and nearly uniform expansion of the filaments 

 into nodular areas, whence aris-e lateral branches ; these 

 are developed at all angles, and retain the same feature. 

 The appendages or excretory ducts are fairly numerou s; 

 they consist of short, rather stout, tubular processes 

 arising from the median line of the filaments. Not com- 

 mon, although widely distributed. Found at all depths 

 down to 435 fathoms. Fig. 10 x 300. 



Achlya reticulata. — This is a very distinct, robust, and 

 exceedingly handsome species. It occurs in fragments 

 of shell and foraminifera of the genus Operculina ; when 

 suitably placed for free development it usually forms a 

 circular patch, frequently attaining the one-twentieth of 

 an inch in diameter. The filaments are fairly large, but 

 they are irregular in size ; branches are produced at fre- 

 quent intervals, which soon coalesce and form a perfect 

 network of filaments arranged in graceful curves ; the 

 surface is very liberally furnished with short.rather stout 

 appendages (excretory ducts), the apertures of which 

 vary in form and size, giving the organism the appear- 

 ance of being decorated with minute germs. Rather 

 plentiful in material from Java Sea and Macassar Straits, 

 45 fathoms ; but not found in any dredgings outside this 

 area. Fig. 11 x 180. 



Achlya flabelliformis. — This is a rather small organism, 

 but its distinguishing features are very well defined. It 

 may be described as consisting of two distinct parts — 

 viz., a tubular portion, which gradually passes into an 

 expanded part. The tubular portion frequently perfor- 

 ates the enclosing fragment, entering on one side and 

 passing in an oblique direction to the other surface ; oc- 

 casionally it may reappear on the same side it entered, 

 forming in its course tliR segment of a circle ; but how- 

 ever it behaves in this respect, it always expands as it 



