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Actinology of the Atlantic Ocean. 105 
not covered by a thin epitheca. It is true that the coral 
approaches very nearly to what I regarded as a variety of 
Deltocyathus Agassizii, pl. i. fig. 16. 
Deltoeyathus Agassizii, Pourt.—Seeing the many different 
forms which have been lately grouped under this species, and 
comparing the figures of Milne-Kdwards as well as original 
specimens from Monte Gibbio of D. déalicus, I find that it 
is by no means finally settled whether D. Agassizii is to be 
merged into D. dtalicus or not. 
I think Prof. Duncan makes too much of my having 
dared to hint at the possibility that his Sabénotrochus apertus 
might be a variety of D. Agassiz’. ‘ We do not want con- 
jectures,”’ he exclaims; and yet everybody who has consulted 
his writings must have noticed how freely he indulges in con- 
jectures himself. Thus, for instance, Pourtalés remonstrates 
(Bull. Mus. Cambr. vol. vi. no. 4, p. 110) :-—‘ Prof. Duncan’s 
supposition that the office of the pali is to support an extra 
circle of tentacles is not borne out in this species, nor in any 
other paliferous coral of which I have had the opportunity of 
examining the polyp.” Further on Professor Duncan says, 
“Certainly the coste and pali of Trochocyathus Rawsoni 
remove it entirely from Deltocyathus. . . . After seeing Lind- 
strém’s criticism Pourtalés still retained the form in the genus 
Trochocyathus ;” but Prof. Duncan omits quoting the follow- 
ing statement of Pourtalés (Bull. vol. v. no. 9, p. 199) :— 
“There is no possibility of identity of this species with D. 
Agassiziz, as supposed by Lindstrém, though there is very 
little doubt that the two genera can scarcely be kept separate.” 
In fact the numerous small, discoid, Fungia-like corals yet 
await a final arrangement by somebody who shall have access 
to all species described and to large numbers of specimens. 
This is evident when we see such zoophytologists as Pour- 
talés and Duncan give such conflicting opinions. 
Flabellum laciniatum, Philippi.—Considering the many 
different forms of Deltocyathus which have been comprised 
under one and the same species, I find it less unreasonable to 
unite such forms as Flabellum alabastrum and LI, laciniatum. 
My specimen, dredged up from 200-300 fathoms off the 
Azores, from its deeper coloration and the nearly straight 
edges of the septa, may be regarded as a variety of the 
North-Atlantic species. Prof. Moseley also says, ‘ I cannot, 
however, tell what amount of variation a long series of speci- 
mens might show.” 
Schizocyathus jissilis, Pourt.—On comparing the figures 
given by Pourtalés and myself, there can be little doubt that 
we have described the same species. ‘The presumed discre- 
Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 5. Vol, xiii. 8 
