232 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vol.8 



on the ground of the difference in proportions and antapex 

 should be accepted in so far as the removal of the two figures 

 from the species pohjgramma is concerned. Stein's two figures 

 are, however, so drawn that no one has ever recognized this 

 "Varietat" in material. Lemmermann 's (1907) statement that 

 G. steini is from the "Pacific" is not verifiable in Stein's work. 

 The figures are oblique views, lack critical details and are not 

 diagnostic. This "variety" possibly represents extreme variants 

 either of G. polygram ma or G. kofoidi and it is impossible to 

 determine which. It should be relegated along with Lemmer- 

 mann 's name to the category of indeterminate species. His 

 recognition of Pouehet's Frotoperidinium pyrophoritm as a valid 

 species of Peridiniion may also be dismissed as a synonym of 

 Gonyaulax poly gramma. 



Comparisons: This common species and G. turhynei are at 

 once distinguished from all others except kofoidi and pacifica by 

 their linear markings. From G. turhynei it is distinguished by 

 its better developed apical horn, and presence of antapical spines. 

 The three species with antapical spines may be distinguished 

 readily by the following complexes of characters : 

 Comparisons of Species 



It is also more pronounced in its linear markings and gener- 

 ally more rugose than these other species. 



Stein's (1883) figure 15 is somewhat more angular and has 

 a less sloping epitheca than is usually found in the species, while 

 that of Delage and Ilerouard (1896) constructed after Schiitt 

 has certain obvious defects. Paulsen's (1907-1908) figure is evi- 

 dently from a tilted specimen and does not show the typical 

 linear markings in full. 



Distribution : This species occurs in the coastal and oceanic 

 plankton of the San Diego region, but never in numbers. Its 



