307 
the Echinodermata seem to have availed themselves of it 
to an unprecedented extent. But the prevalence of Echinoderm 
life is not confined to such favoured regions,—throughout 
all the Australian seas it appears in various forms. The four 
Classes CRINOIDEA, ECHINOIDEA, STELLARIA, 
and HOLUTHUROIDEA are all very’ numerously 
represented in proportion to their numbers throughout the rest 
ot the world. Some of the species of one of these Classes, the 
Ho.tutTuuripa#, furnish a valuable article of commerce to 
China known as “trepang” or “béche-de-mer.”’ 
The Sub-kingdlom CCGELENTERATA is evidently 
largely represented in Australia, but as yet but little has been 
done in the examination of it. Dr. Von Lendenfeld has lately 
been investigating the Class of Sponera, which he has found 
so numerous and peculiar on the Australian Coasts as to neces- 
sitate a change in nomenclature and classification. 
The Order CALCAREA or CALCISPONGIA he has 
found to number 53 species, and three of-the families—Homo- 
DERMID&, LEucopsipm, and TricHonrpm—are peculiar to 
Australia. The Mysosponai are few in number; but there 
is an interesting genus, Basatus, peculiar to Australia. 
The CERAOSPONGIA are found by Dr. Lendenfeld to 
be richer in species in Australia than in the rest of the world 
united. 
The MONATICER also predominate in Australian 
waters. 
The HEXACTINELLID# and TETRACTINELLIDA 
are few in species. 
The MONACTIPHALEA are numerous enough, but not 
proportionally so as compared with other parts of the world. 
The Class ANTHOZOA is also well represented. Of the 
Order ALCYONARIA, five PENNATULID® are found, and 
GorGonrp# are abundant. 
Of the ZOANTHARIA, the Actiniipm are chiefly found 
in the cool waters of the temperate regions, the SCLERODER- 
MATA in the tropical parts, the Mrprnporipa forming the 
chief part of the extensive coral reefs which surround the 
North Coast. 
The Class HYDROZOA are, as a whole, also abundant. 
The HYDROMEDUS of Australia number 243 species, 
the Polyp-colonies, with chitinous skeletons, predominate; the 
Australian SERTULARIDH and PLUMULARID# exceed in 
number those of the rest of the world added together; the 
ephemerous EvcapriLLip@ are peculiar to Australia. Large 
TRACHOMEDUSZ# are comparatively rare. 
The Hydra is found in Ausiralian rivers. The 
SYPONOPHARA are rare, and show no peculiar forms. 
