Haddon and Shackleton — Actinice : I. Zoanthece. 687 



discontimious, but may be continuous. Lacunae and cell-islets are found in the 

 mesogloea. Dioecious. 



This genus was recovered by M'Murrich (1889), who identified a Zoanthid from 

 the Bermudas as Gemmaria nisei, Duch. & Mich. (p. 124), and in a previously 

 written, but subsequently published, Paper (1889a, p. 65), he describes G. isolata, 

 n. sp., from the Bahamas. We are able to extend the geographical distribution of 

 the genus, and at the same time give ourselves the pleasure of associating one of 

 our new species with the name of our esteemed colleague, Prof. J. Playfair 

 M'^Murrich, of Haverford College, Pa., U. S. A., to whom we have so often 

 referred in these pages. 



Besides the type species, G. rusei, from St. Thomas, Duchassaing and Michelotti 

 (1860) describe G. clavata, Duch. (St. Thomas and Guadeloupe), G. swiftii, D. & M. 

 (St. Thomas), and G. hrevis, Duch. (Antilles). 



In 1866 they state that "perhaps G, stviftii may be better placed in the genus 

 Bergia." From the figure (1860, pi. viii., pp. 17 and 18) it appears to closely 

 resemble a Sarcodictyon, but in the later Memoir the authors state that it has 24 

 biserial tentacles. It is certain that this is not a synonym for Parasoanthiis axinellce, 

 as Andres suggests (1884, p. 311). Anyhow it is clear that these authors had no 

 very definite conception of their own genus, for neither G. awiftii nor G. brevis 

 would appear to belong to the same genus as the type species, nor is it certain that 

 G. clavata does either. 



It is difficult to understand why Andres (1884, p. 318) has regarded G. brevis 

 as a synonym of two or three species of Epizoanthus. Gray (1867, p. 238) has added 

 to the confusion by placing Z. sulcahis, Gosse, in this genus ; but it is probable 

 as M^Murrich suggests, that Triga philippinensis, Gray (1867, p. 239), may belong 

 to the genus in question. Gray's description of the genus Triga: — " The coral 

 sub-cylindrical, solitary, attached, with a rather expanded base ; outer coat coria- 

 ceous, sandy, concentrically wrinkled"; and of the type species: — "Coral sub- 

 cjdindrical, clavate, rather narrowed near the base, concentrically wrinkled ; end 

 convex, obscurely radiately striated ; hab. Philippines, attached to small pebbles 

 [Cuming). The coral varies from an inch to an inch and a-half in length " — agrees 

 very well, except for size, with our new species ; but without microscopical 

 examination it would be impossible to determine with certainty even the genus of 

 Gray's species. 



The only known species of this genus are G. rusei, D. & M., G. isolata, M^M., 

 G. macmurrichi, u. sp., and G. mutuici, n. sp. 



TOERES STEAITS SPECIES OF THE GENUS GEMMAEIA. 

 G. macmurricM, n. sp. 

 G. mutuki, n. sp. 



