BY W. M. BALE. 749 



on the hydrophores, erect, armed with a number (about 8 or 10) of 

 short capitate tentacles, which are scattered over the body without 

 definite order. 



Additional localities Off Port Jackson Heads : Broughton 

 Islands. 



Mr. Brazier has already recorded in the Proceedings of the 

 Linnean Society of N. S. Wales for 1886, page 575, the occurrence 

 of C. fusca (not previously recognized since its original discovery 

 by Gray) at various localities near Sydney, including Bondi Bay, 

 where it was first obtained. Mr. Whitelegge informs me that it is 

 found on Laminaria-roots. 



From examination of a specimen which had been preserved in 

 spirit, I find that the hydranths are not formed on the same type 

 as those of Hydractinia (in which there is a single circle of fili- 

 form tentacles surrounding the base of a conical proboscis), but 

 are armed with capitate tentacles only, which are distributed 

 irregularly over the body. Ceratella must therefore be removed 

 from the Hydractiniidse, to which family it was assigned by Mr. 

 Carter, in the absence of the hydranths, and must form the type 

 of a new family the CERATELLID^: -allied to the Corynidse by 

 the structure of the hydranths, and to the Hydractiniidae by their 

 sessile condition and by the character of the polypary. This how- 

 ever is not quite the same as in Hydractinia, being distinguished 

 by its free and erect growth, as well as by other peculiarities. The 

 basis of the structure (as seen in the new extensions at the ends 

 of the branches), is a reticulated chitinous tissue, so like the 

 skeleton of some of the horny sponges that a portion broken off 

 and examined separately might well be mistaken for sponge-tissue. 

 As growth proceeds this substance becomes denser and closer, and 

 the superficial fibres in some parts usually run parallel, so as to 

 leave channels between them. This is especially the case with the 

 under side of the projections on which the hydranths are supported, 

 to which I have applied the term " hydrophores," originally used 

 by Professor Allman for the calycles of Halecium. These are 

 formed by a number of longitudinal ribs which run along the 



