MADEEPOEARIA OV THE DEEP SEA. 809 



III. Descriptions of the Species, axd Eemaeks. 

 ZOANTHABIA SCLEROBERMATA. 



Section APOROSA. 



Group TurbinoliidgB. 



Genus Caryophtllia, M.-Edwards & Haime. 



Syn. Caryophyllia (pars), Lamarck. 

 Cyathina, Ehrenberg. 



This genus comprehends numerous species, many of which are peculiar to the recent 

 coral faunas ; but some belong both to the present and to the past assemblages of corals. 

 The species are usually very variable ; and the depth of habitat and the peculiar natiire 

 of the sea-floor appear to influence the amount and persistence of the variation. MM. 

 Milne-Edwards and Jules Haime divide the genus into groups of species which are 

 characterized by the persistence of particular septal numbers ; and this method, if not a 

 very natural one, is excessively convenient to the student. When a considerable series 

 of closely allied species is examined, great variation will be noticed in the shape and 

 size of the base of attachment in diflFerent specimens. Some, which evidently belong to 

 the same species, and which have aU the other structures in common, may have a broad 

 and adherent base, or a narrow and pedunculate attachment; and a few may have a 

 sharp and pointed or even a rounded end, indicating a former state of adhesion to a 

 foreign body. 



Thus the specific identity of the forms formerly called Caryophyllia horealis, Fleming, 

 and Caryophyllia smifhii, Stokes, is beyond doubt : yet the first-named has a narrow and 

 curved peduncle attached to the Ditrupa-case and to shells ; and the last has a broad 

 base, which is adherent to rocks and shells. 



When Caryophyllia horealis locates itself on stones or flat shells, it frequently assumes 

 the form of Caryophyllia smifhii, and grows with a broad base. And when a deposit 

 collects around the normal Caryophyllia horealis its peduncle may diminish in size and 

 become separated. This is a common occurrence in the neighbourhood of Valentia and 

 Dingle Bay. 



I trust that this statement will facilitate the absorption of the genus Ceratocyathus^, 

 Seguenza, into Caryophyllia, as they are only distinguished by the character of the 

 peduncle. 



It is therefore proposed to include the Ceratocyathi amongst the Caryophyllim 

 described in this communication ; and the last-named genus will be subdivided accord- 

 ing to the plan adopted by MM. Milne-Edwards and Jules Haime ^. 



^ "Disquisiz. Paleont.," Mem. della Eeale Acad, dell Sci. Torino, serie ii. torn. xxi. 1864. 

 ' Hist. Nat. des Corall. vol. ii. p. 13 et seq. 



