34 DR. J. E. GRAY ON SOME NEW ZOOPHYTES. [Feb. 11, 



and less contracted than the preceding ; the pores on the surface are 

 more distinct, and are furnished with more or less dark polypes, 

 which are all expanded. The polypes in one specimen (which 

 is in the most perfect condition) are all entirely of a uniform black- 

 brown colour. In one of the other specimens (also in a good con- 

 dition) the polypes are pale brown, with a broad black lower ring 

 at the upper part of the tubular body, near the base of the arms. 

 In the other specimen (which is imperfect) the polypes are all pale 

 brown, like the coral. 



In all the three specimens the polypes at the lower half of the 

 club are further apart than they are at the tip ; this is especially the 

 case in the specimen which has the dark ring on the polypes, 

 where the polypes in the lower part of the club are very far apart 

 and few in number, and appear as if placed in longitudinal lines. 

 I should propose to call this species provisionally Lituaria australis. 



5. Description of Two New Genera of Zoophytes (Sole- 



NOCAULON and BeLLONELLA) DISCO-VERED ON THE NoRTH 



Coast of Australia by Mr. Rayner. By Dr. John 

 Edward Gray, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., F.L.S., etc. 



Among the numerous interesting animals collected by Mr, Rayner 

 during the voyage of H. M. S. ' Herald' is a new form of coral, nearly 

 allied to Gorgonia, and especially to the coral called Coelogorgia by 

 M. Milne-Edwards, but very distinct from it. I therefore send a 

 description of it to the Society for publication in the * Proceedings.' 



Solenocaulon. 



The coral coriaceous, tubular, circular, and simple below, com- 

 pressed, subquadrangular, tortuous, and more or less branched above, 

 the branches being similar in size and form to the main 

 stem. The main stem and branches furnished with 

 more or less elongate, subsolid, slender branchlets, 

 which are placed on the edge of the large holes in the 

 main stem and branches which communicate with the 

 main tube. These branchlets (and sometimes the 

 branches at the base of them) are furnished with large 

 cells for the polypes, which are placed in one (more fre- 

 quently in two) series on each side of the branchlets, 

 and sometimes the series are continued on the main stem 

 or branches at the bottom of the branchlets. The polype-cells are 

 rather large, circular, nearly superficial, and furnished with a cup 

 divided into eight conical, connivent lobes, each lobe being formed of 

 some transverse spicules at the base and some obliquely- placed spi- 

 cules diverging from each lateral edge towards the top above. 



1. Solenocaulon tortuosum. 

 Hab. North Australia. 



