8 G Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-1918 



The nearest related form is, perhaps, G. canadensis, a new species described 

 below, (see PL I, figs. 2-2 d, PI. II, fig. 5) This has more numerous spicules 

 in the distal part of the polyp-body, which form, with the very spiculose bases 

 of the tentacles, a larger and stronger anthocodia, which is seldom retracted 

 into the calicles in the case of full grown polyps. The proximal and usually 

 narrower part of the polyp-body also has eight double rows of smaller spicules 

 in open chevrons, but this part can be much contracted and withdrawn into 

 the calicles, which are larger and more stellate than in G. rubiformis. 



G. studeri, new name for G. danielsseni Studer, not of Marenzeller, op. 

 cit. 1901, p. 31, pi. iii, figs. 7, 9; pi. x, figs. 1-3, 7, from off Newfoundland, in 

 155 meters, is closely related to this species. It is pale yellowish in colour. 

 It has the same forms of branching and abundant coenenchyma, with retractile 

 polyps and distinct calciles. Its spicules appear to be more sharply spinose 

 and occur transversely placed in the proximal part of the polyps. 



G. carnea (Ag. sp.) is a more southern species but is sometimes found in 

 the same localities. It is a much softer and smoother species with fewer and 

 smaller spicules in the stalk and branches, and when full grown is more branched 

 and taller, and in expansion it is more translucent (see PI. IV, fig. 1). But it 

 often contracts into a mere mass of roundish or clavate branches, closely crowded 

 together, when preserved in alcohol. Its colour, in life, is usually pale salmon 

 or flesh-colour, but it may be pink or light red. Its spicules are white or nearly 

 so, and differ from those of G. rubiformis in size and form, nor do those of the 

 stalk and branches form a firm crust (see PL IV, figs. 2-3). These spicules 

 in G. rubiformis are so numerous that it keeps its form very well when dried. 



Some varieties of G. fruticosa (Sars), and especially the form clavata (Dan. 

 sp.), considered a distinct species by Molander, 1915, have a close resemblance 

 to this species in modes of branching and general appearance, but they have 

 less ccenenchyma between the calicles and more spicules in the anthocodial 

 region and proximal part of the polyps. 



Gersemia uvceformis (May, sp.) was united to G. rubiformis by Jungersen 

 and by Broch, but kept as a separate species by Molander (1915). It is a 

 nearly allied form, if not the young stage of the 'latter. Its polyps, judging 

 by the figures," are considerably larger and the spicules more numerous and 

 somewhat different in forms. I have not seen any American specimens that 

 seem to agree with it. Molander recorded it from off Newfoundland, in 66 

 meters. Another species which might be confounded with this was recorded 

 by me in 1865, from the Okhotsk Sea; but was not then named nor described 

 owing to the immaturity of the single specimen. Nevertheless Dr. J. E. Gray, 

 in Ann. and Mag. N. Hist., Feb., 1869, gave it a name, Lobularia verrillii. That 

 name has no more status than a manuscript name. 



The specimen, long in alcohol, was still bright red, and the calicles were 

 glomerate and verruciform, and much larger than in G. rubiformis, and more 

 spiculose. The original specimen was probably burned in the great Chicago 

 fire, which destroyed all the Chicago Museum specimens. 



It may very likely belong to Gersemia, and in that case it most resembled 

 G. uvceformis. Its spicules were red, but were not carefully studied. Its stalk 

 was very short and not branched, and it was doubtless the young stage of a 

 larger species. The polyps were more or less retractile, usually leaving the 

 anthocodia exposed. 



It is remarkable that Danielssen did not recognize this species among the 

 numerous related forms described by him. Some of his figures, however, 

 closely resemble varieties of this species, particular^ Gersemia clavata and 

 capitata, and should be compared with this. 



Ehrenberg quoted Pallas as the author for this species. I do not know 

 in what work Pallas described it. 



