178 PEECY SLADEN TRUST EXPEDITION". 



Family NeplithyidsB. 



Genus LITHOPHYTUM. 



27. Lithophytum Jlahellum (Q. & G.). 



=, according to May and Kukentlial, Ammothea digitata, May, Jeuaische Zeitschr. Naturwiss, 



xxxiii. 1899, p. 136, pi. 2. fig. 16. 

 Probably also = Ammothea afr'icana, May ; A. flava, May. 



For description see : — 



Kiikenthal : Versucli einer Revision der Alcyonarien. — II. Die Familie der Nepbthyiden, 1 Theil 

 (1903), p. 111. 



The distinctions drawn between L. afr'icanmn (May), L. flavum (May), and L. Jlabellum 

 (Q. & G.) are very indefinite, and are, in fact, based on characters that seem to us too 

 variable to admit of their being used as specific distinctions. 



We therefore refer to Lithophytum flabellum (Q. & G.), as the oldest of the three 

 species, a number of specimens that vary slightly from one another in such points as the 

 extent to which the stems are united at the base of the colony, the closeness of the polyps 

 to one another on the " catkins," and the size and frequency of the warts on the spicules. 



Localities. Salomon, N.W. reef and lagoon ; Egmont, lagoon, 6-7 fms. 



Previously recorded from the Indian Ocean (Zanzibar, Tumbatu) and the Pacific 

 Ocean (Carteret Haven, New Ireland). 



28. Lithophytum coiifertum, Kiikenthal, 



For description see :— 

 Kiikentbal : Versuch einer Revision der Alcyonarien. — II. Die Familie der Nepbthyiden, 1 Tbeil 

 (1903), p. ] 16, pi. 7. fig. 2, pi. 9. figs. 18-20. 



Two badly preserved specimens seem best included in Kiikenthal's L. confertum, with 

 which they agree in general appearance, the large tentacles of the polyps with 8 pinnules 

 on each side, and the character of the spicules. Cut across with the knife, our specimens 

 show an extremely compact interior free from large canals. This is not mentioned as 

 characteristic of Lithophytum confertum in Kukenthal's description ; further, he finds 

 the polyps strongly retracted, which is certainly not the case in our specimens. 



Locality. Salomon, 10-14 fms. 



Previously recorded ft'om Viti. 



29. Lithophytum brassicum (May). 



See May: Jena. Zeitschr. f. Naturwiss. xxxiii. 1S99, p. 139, 1 fig.; Kiikentbal : Zool. Jabrb. xix, 

 1903, p. 120. 



Localities. Amirante, 39 fms. ; Coetivy. 

 Previously recorded from Zanzibar, &c. 



