Hicksonella, a New Gorgoncllid Genus. By J. J. Simpsmi. (^ZiJ 



(2) Bathymetrical. This genus, like other Gorgonellids, is 

 represented by shallow-water lorius; M. spiralis was dredged in 

 36 and 47 fathoms, and H. capensis in 37 fathoms. 



XOTE OK THE GeNUS. 



Before leaving Hicksonella, however, it may be of interest to 

 consider some of the more characteristic features, for example : 

 (1) the distribution of the verrucje, and (2) the spiral form. Pro- 

 fessor Hickson (ii. p. 232), has drawn attention to these, and has 

 put forward several suggestions as to their possible origin, so tliat, 

 before taking each in detail, we shall quote his observations in full, 

 and so obviate any possibility of misinterpretation which might 

 result from detached references, 



"This bare track, i.e. the part devoid of polyps, is seen in 

 some other species of Juncellch. In the description of J. juncea, 

 from the Isle of Bourbon, Milne-Edwards and Haime state that 

 the calices leave some trace of a median coenenchymatous space. 

 Eidley also states that there is a distinct groove in the specimen of 

 -/. juncea obtained b)' the ' Alert.' 



The squamate armature of the verrucse shows some affinities 

 with the characters of the Primnoidse, but, as the plate-like 

 spicules are so small and there .are no definite opercular plates, its 

 affinities with Juncella are closer. It is noteworthy, however, that 

 in tlie Primnoine genus Calypteriims the calices do not occur on 

 one side of the stock. The track which is free from tlie calices in 

 Calyp)terinus, however, is covered by the overlapping scales of the 

 lateral calices so as to form a tube. These bare tracks on one side 

 of the stock in Juncella sjnrcclis and Calypterimt,s allmani have a 

 certain resemblance to the liare tracks on one side of the smaller 

 branches of some forms of Solenocaulon, and suggest the presence 

 of symbiotic Crustacea. Tliere is no evidence in support of this at 

 present, but it would be worth the trouble of any naturalist, wl\o 

 has the opportunity of dredging in these waters, to note the 

 character of any Alpheidre or other animals that might possibly 

 live with this Juncella. Dr. Gilchrist's note tliat nothing was 

 found around which the stock twisted, is of the nature of a supjiort 

 for the suggestion that th(! spiral form of the larger stocks is 

 associated with the presence of some epizoic animal. We may, for 

 the present, regard the spiral form and the bare track as characters 

 of the species, but if they prove to be mere adaptations to an 

 epizoic animal their importance must be considerably discounted." 



The question of the nature of tlie bare tract is of more than 

 pas.sing importance, for if, as Professor Hickson suggests, it is due 

 to some epizoic animal, it must be discounted in any qiiestion of a 

 taxonomic nature. A study of the species which he has named 

 along with some others of a similar character, may, liowever. help 



