206 TJniversitij of California Puhlications in Zoology. [Vol.8 



II. Descriptions of Species op Gonyaulax Diesing, With Notes 

 ON Synonomy, Variation, and Distribution 



1. Subgenus Gonyaulax subgen. nov. 



The California representatives of this subgenus fall into sev- 

 eral groups of species of unequal coherence and content ; to wit, 

 the spinifera, pohjgramma, polyedra, and sphae'roidea groups. 

 The spinifera group consists of four species, G. spinifera, G. 

 digitale, G. diegensis and G. triaca)itha. The first three form a 

 series of increasing size, of closely related species, from which 

 the fourth differs widely in form of body, surface markings and 

 distribution of the antapical spines, the po.ssession of which 

 forms the main character linking it to this group. 



a). The SpJiaeroidea Group 



Characterized by spheroidal form, smooth or feebly reticu- 

 lated surface, girdle and ventral area scarcely impressed. 



Here belong Gonyaulax spJiaeroidea sp. nov. and G. palustris 

 Lemm. 



]. Gonyaulax sphaeroidea sj). nov. 



PI. 16, figs. 41, 42 

 Diagnosis — A medium-sized species with spheroidal body, no 

 apical horn or with one which is but slightly differentiated, girdle 

 displaced 1.5 to 2 times its width, anterior intercalary plate pres- 

 ent, surface smooth or faintly reticulate, rather sparingly 

 punctate. Hyaline lists on both sides of longitudinal furrow. 



Description: Body spheroidal, major axis slightly exceeding equatorial 

 (1.12 transdiameters), no apical horn differentiated in specimen figured. 

 Epitheca slightly exceeding hypotheca, each nearly hemispherical. Sec- 

 tion at girdle with only a trace of flattening on ventral face. 



The girdle is equatorial, slightly postmedian, descending, displaced 

 distally 1.5 to 2 girdle widths, and has an overhang of less than 0.5 girdle 

 width. It is not impressed and has low hyaline, non-ribbed lists. 



The ventral area or longitudinal furrow is slightly curved to the left 

 opposite the distal end of the girdle, and flares posteriorly to more than 

 a girdle width. It is guarded on either side by salient membranous, non- 

 ribbed lists which increase in height posteriorly. Anteriorly the ventral 

 area slightly indents the epitheca. 



