11 



From ihf Annat.s and IMagazine of Natural History, 

 Ser. 8, Vol. iii.,^;«-!7 1909. 



Alcyonarians from the Gulf of Cuich. By Prof. J. Arthur 

 Thomson and Mr. George Crane, B.Sc, University of 

 Aberdeen. (Preliminary Note.) 



In the course of an investigation of tlie sliallow-water fauna 

 of part of the Gulf of Cutch, Mr. James Hornell made a 

 small collection of Alcyonarians which presents some features 

 of interest. The precise district was the coast of Okharaandal, 

 which forms the N.W. extremity of the Kattiawar Peninsula, 

 and Mr. Hornell has called our attention to tiie fact that 

 specimens of Dendronejihtlnja (heltcr known as Spongodes), 

 of Lophoffort/ia, &c. could he collected at low tide. 



The collection includes eight species, one of which — Aslro- 

 muricea stdlifera — is new. There is also a new variety of a 

 remarkable species of Echinomuricea previously found in the 

 Indian Ocean. 



The position of the various species may be indicated as 

 follows : — 



Order ALCYONACEA. 



Family Alcyonid.* .... (1) Sclerophytum poh/dactylum (Ehrcn- 



berg). 



Family Nkphthyidje . . (2) Dendronephthi/a (SpomjoJes) dendro- 



phi/ia (Wright nud Stiider). 

 (3) Dindrimejyhthya (iypungodes) bre:i- 

 rtima lUurckbiLrdt). 



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