ZOANTHE^ FROM QUEENSLAND AND THE NEW HEBRIDES. 315 



On some ZoanthesG from Queensland and the New Hebrides. By Leonora 

 J. WiLSBiORE, M.Sc, Zoological Laboratory, University College, London. 

 (Commmiicated by ProL J. P. Hill, D.Sc, F.L.S.) 



(Plates 43-45.) 



[Eead Gtli May, 1909.] 



The Actinaria treated of in this paper form part of a small collection of 

 these animals brought from Australia by Professor J. P. Hill, who kindly 

 suggested the investigation to me, and to whom for his advice and 

 assistance throughout the work my grateful thanks are due. 



In the present communication the following four species are described 

 as new : — 



Zoanthe^. 



Brachycnemin^. 



Zoantlms sandvicensis, sp. n. 

 Zoantlms similis, sp. n. 

 Zoantlms pigmentatus, sp. n. 

 Gemmaria arenacea, sp. n. 



ZoANTHUS sandvicensis, sp. n. (Pis. 43, 44. figs. 1-6.) 



Form (PL 43. fig. 1). — The polyps form a colony covering an irregular 

 shaped piece of coral and have apparently been broken off from a larger 

 mass. The coenenchyme is freely developed, and forms an incrustation 

 over the coral, the indentations of which it closely follows. The free ends of 

 the ccenenchyme advance in broad bands and form an almost continuous 

 incrustation. Irregular spaces occur in the older parts, so that the whole 

 structure forms a network. 



The polyps grow fairly thickly on the coenenchyme and are regularly 

 distributed over its surface. In form they are usually cylindrical, but several 

 of the larger are clavate. The capitula of the adults are all at nearly the same 

 level. Their form and height seem to be determined by their position in the 

 colony, since it is the polyps growing on the depressed borders of the coral 

 which become drawn out and clavate; those on an elevated part are mere 

 buttons having greater width than height. The columns in spirit specimens 

 are wrinkled transversely. Three young polyps present on the older parts 

 of the coenenchyme arise from it directly, and not from the bases of other 

 polyps. 



Colour. — In spirit they are a light sand-colour. An enclosed label states that 

 in life they were pink or green when expanded, and brown when contracted. 



linn. JOURN.— zoology, vol. XXX. 25 



