94 The Genera of the Plumulariidce, 



aperture, and Mr. Cough trey calls them conical or sub- 

 conical. I have no doubt, therefore, that my New Zealand 

 specimens are the true S. Johnsfoni. With regard to the 

 Bass' Straits form, its tubular hydrothecse, and the distinct 

 form of its gonangia, entitle it to rank as a distinct variety, 

 perhaps even as a distinct species. It is stated, however, by 

 Mr. Coughtrey that there is considerable variation among 

 New Zealand specimens, the annul ations of the gonangia 

 differing greatly in number and closeness. Hence, I have not 

 felt justified in establishing a new species on what might 

 prove insufficient grounds. The S. divaricata of Busk differs 

 from this form to a comparatively small extent, and may have 

 to be united with it, as I have seen specimens which appeared 

 intermediate. 



Plumularia campanula, Busk 



The Plumularia laxa of Professor Allman (" Challenger" 

 Report) is, I have no doubt, identical with the above species. 



Plumularia Buskii, Bale. 



I have described this species as having the median sarco- 

 thecge fixed; this applies, however, only to the anterior ones, 

 those above the hydrothecse being movable. 



Plumularia aglaophenoides. Bale. 



It is suggested in the " Catalogue" that if the genus 

 Diplopteron be retained, it should be modified so as to 

 include this species. The suggestion, however, is no longer 

 applicable, as the genus has since been merged by Professor 

 Allman in Polyplumaria, the essential feature of which, 

 according to the more recent definition, is the possession of 

 an accessory ramulus springing from each pinna. 



Plumularia effusa, Busk 



This species is the type of Allman's genus Acanthella, 

 which is distinguished by the presence of spines or meta- 

 morphosed hydrocladia at the distal part of the branches. 

 From the " Challenger" Report it appears that Kirchenpauer's 

 description (which I have quoted in the " Catalogue") is 

 erroneous in assigning only a single supracalycine nemato- 

 phore to each hydrotheca, there being in reality a pair of 

 laterals, as in the Eleutheroplea generally. 



