92 MARINE BIOLOGY OF THE SUDANESE RED SEA 



Xema ruscBSCENS, Ehrenherg. 



Several colonies, showing two sizes of zooids, are referable to this species, 

 which is closely related to A', itmbellata, Savigny. 



The larger zooids have bodies up to 18 mm. in length, with tentacles about 

 half as long. There are about 40 long slender pinnules on each side, in two 

 rows. There are abundant zoochlorellae. 



The small zooids are 2-4 mm. in height. They show minute tentacles, but 

 no pinnules. 



Locality. — Suakim Harbour, ^ fathom. Previously recorded from the Red 

 Sea, Zanzibar. 



Alcyonium sph^rophorum [Ehrenherg). 

 See C. B. Klunzinger : Die Korallthiere des rothen Meeres, Part I. Die Alcyonarien, 

 etc., 1877, p. 22. 

 W. May, 1899, he. cit. p. 105. 



The collection includes numerous specimens o£ this common species. In 

 their mode of growth they more nearly resemble A. pachydados, but their 

 spicules are nearest those of ^1. sphcerophorum. We see no reason for 

 regarding these as distinct species, and we would suggest the incorporation of 

 the former in the latter. 



We are inclined to think that A. globuliferum, Klunzinger, A. digitulatum, 

 Klunzinger, and A. brarhydados, Ehrenherg, should be referred, along with 

 A. padiydados, to one species — ^4. sp>hwrophorum. As described and figured, 

 they do not seem to us to differ in more than slight quantitative characters, 

 which are probably not more than individual fluctuations. The specimens 

 here referred to A. splicerophorum furnish all the kinds of spicules figured as 

 distinctive of A. globuliferum, A. digitulatum, and A. brachydados, though the 

 most prevalent agree with those figured as distinctive of A. sphwrophorum. 

 The colour of the li^ang specimens was " like weak cocoa " with " chocolate " 

 tentacles. This corresponds with Ehrenberg's " polypis fuscis." 



Twelve species of Alcyonium have been reported from the Red Sea ; but 

 there is no doubt that the list will have to be much reduced. 



Locality. — From the coral shoal of Kal el Kebirain Suez Bay. Previously 

 recorded from Red Sea, Madagascar. 



Sarcophytum glaucum, Quoy et Gaimard. (Plate 5. fig- 5.) 

 See E. von Marenzeller : " Ueber die Sarcophytuyn benannten Alcyoniiden," Zool. 

 Jahrb. i. (1S86) p. 352, Taf. ix. figs. 1 & 2. 



The collection includes several specimens of this species. 



A typical colony consists of a stout trunk, 1-5 cm. high by 47 cm. broad, 

 somewhat concealed bj' the overhanging much folded lobes of the capitulum. 

 The upper surface of the capitulum is about ll'O cm. in breadth, and the 

 appearance presented by the convoluted and dovetailed lobes has been 

 compared to that of a Meandrine Coral. 



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