50 University of California Publications. [zoologt. 



one or two wavy annulations at its base. Secondary and ultimate branches 

 arise from the bases of hydrotheeae. 



The wall of the hydrotheea is especially thickened, the interior contour 

 in profile being convex while the outer one is straight. There is a circle of 

 bosses of variable number and arrangement around the inner surface of the 

 wall. 



Gonosome. Male gonothecae present. When mature they are long, 

 oval, smooth, three to four times as long as broad, each attached just below 

 a hydrotheea by a short pedicel which may have one or two faint annula- 

 tions. The base of the gonotheca may have a wavy outline. Small 

 terminal aperture. 



Color of stem and base of branches brown. Coenosarc in poor condition. 



Distribution. Off Point Loma, San Diego, Cal., bottom of 

 sand and cobbles; harbor in 5 fathoms; Catalina I., in 42 

 fathoms. 



Halecium nuttingi, nom. nov. 



Halecium geniculatum, Nutting, Proc. TJ. S. Nat. Mus., XXI, p. 774. 



Distribution. Dredged off Pt. Loma, San Diego, Cal., July, 

 1901; sandy, cobbly bottom. Pnget Sound (Nutting). 



The single colony of this species in the collection agrees with 

 Nutting's description in every detail save the number of tentacles 

 ( 18-24 instead of 16-20), and the fasciculation, which is promi- 

 nent on the stem, larger branches and bases of the smaller 

 branches; the gonosome is absent also. Several stems of vary- 

 ing lengths, the longest 40 mm., arise from a stolon creeping 

 over a fragment of seaweed frond. On the longest stem two 

 stemlike branches are borne. On each of these and the stem, 

 secondary branches of irregular lengths — none more than 10 mm . — 

 arise alternately on either side in approximately the same plane. 

 These may branch again. The non-fascicled branches are more 

 or less regularly annulated at their bases. Only the ultimates 

 are geniculate. Occasionally they acquire annulations similarly 

 to those of H. itmnihttum, from which they can be distinguished 

 by the larger size of hydranth and diameter of branches. 



The specific name given by Nutting had been used already by 

 Norman for a British species of Halecium (Rep. Brit. Assn., 

 1866, p. 196), so I have taken the liberty of substituting Dr. 

 Nutting's own name in its stead. 



