62 
ME. S. O. EIDLET ON THE 
fundamental character, of which his union of the genus Alcy- 
onella with Plumatella, and even the species of the former with 
species of the latter genus in a long list of synonyms, is not the 
most radical of the changes. 
It is, however, my object on this occasion to draw attention to 
but one part of the existing systems which seems to require 
remodelling. 
The diagnosis of Lophopus , as given by Allman (1. c. p. 83), 
runs : — “ Coenoecium sacciform, hyaline, with a disc which serves 
for attachment but not for locomotion ; ectocyst gelatinoid ; 
orifices scattered. Statoblasts elliptical, wdth an aunulus, but 
without marginal spines.” 
Jullien (J.c. p. 139), besides characters derived from the 
general relations of the colony as a whole, inserts in his defini- 
tion of the genus : — “ Statoblastes elliptiques pourvus d’un anneau 
sur le pourtour ; anneau termine en pointe aux extreinites du 
grand diametre.” 
The discovery, as detailed below, of a new species of the genus 
in Australia, involves the giving up of the last-named character 
as of generic importance, and Lophopus remains distinguished 
from Cristatella by the absence of spines from the statoblast 
and of a locomotor disk from the colony, and from Pectinatella 
chiefly by the former character. 
Lophopus Lexdenfeldi, n. sp. 
Zoarium forming chain-like or contort linear growths, the 
zooecia being aggregated into small linear groups, which are con- 
nected with each other by stolon-like lobes. Zooids deeply 
divided from each other within the ectocyst, tubular, ending 
below in rounded, slightly constricted kuobs terminated by a 
special thickening of the outermost layer of the endocjst. 
Ectocyst perfectly hyaline, about 1 millim. deep, forming low mam- 
millae, about '02 millim. high, which contain the zooecial orifices. 
Tentacles about 50 in number, the longest longer than the 
endocyst-bodv. Epistome not observed. Ectocyst (in spirit) 
hyaline, colourless ; endocyst-bodies pale yellow. Statoblast 
strictly elliptical in outliue, aunulus almost flat ; body very 
convex. 
Measurements. — Length of extended polypide (the portion 
within ectocyst-sheath) about 1 millim. Diameter of neck of 
zooecium (endocyst) about ‘02 millim. Length of lophophore,from 
