706 DR. J. E. GRAY ON RHODOPHYTON. [Nov. 28, 
of the different exotic species described by MM. Milne-Edwards and 
Haimes in the ‘ Histoire Naturelle des Coralliaires,’ and I am in- 
clined to believe that it has not been described by them. 
RHODOPHYTON. 
Coral-flesh cellular, covered with a hard continuous calcareous 
coat, contracted at the base, expanded above, and divided into seve- 
ral oblong lobes or branches, covered with short cylindrical tubes 
with a circular mouth. Polypes half retractile, forming when re- 
tracted a white tubular termination to the cells. The more deve- 
loped cells of the polypes, especially those at the end of the lobes, 
are longitudinally grooved. 
This genus differs from the typical Aleyonia, or Lobularia, taking 
A. digitatum for the type, in the outer surface being covered with 
a continuous crustaceous coat, and in each of the polypes being en- 
closed in a distinct tubular sheath projecting from the general sur- 
face. It differs from all the Aleyonia in the polype being only half 
retractile ; that is to say, the upper part of the body of the animal is 
fleshy and projects beyond the end of the calcareous tube—where 
the tentacles are retracted, making a white or whitish apex to the 
poly pe-tubes. 
Rhodophyton couchii. 
RuHODOPHYTON COUCHII. 
Hab. British Seas, Cornwall, near Polperro (Jonathan Couch, 
Esq.; Brit. Mus.). 
Dr. Hassall, in the ‘Annals and Magazine of Natural History,’ 
vou. Vil. p. 285, thought he had discovered Aleyonium rubrum* of 
Miller in Dublin Bay; but in the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural 
History,’ vol. xi. p. 112, probably influenced by some observation 
of Mr. Macgillivray, he described this Coral as a new species, under 
the name of Aleyonium glomeratum, with the following diagnosis :— 
**Polypidom massive, of no very defined outline; colour a deep uni- 
form red, the shade of which approaches to vermilion.”’ He states 
that it is often to be observed growing on the same shell as 4. digi- 
tatum, ‘‘ each possessing its peculiar colour.” 
* From an error of the pen, or of the press, it is called dleyonidium rubrum. 
