POLYXENIA ALDERI. 33 



is a linear ovary. Each space terminates marginally in two truncated lobes, one on each side 

 of the ovary, and always alternately longer or shorter. Each lobe, especially the shorter one, 

 is slightly lobulated. From the centre of the sub-umbrella springs a short peduncle, very 

 soon terminating in four linear-lanceolate, rather long, arm-like lips, white, tipped with rose 

 colour. They project beneath and lower than the umbrella. The breadth of the disk is 

 about two inches. 



I had referred this graceful creature to the Polyxenia cyanostyla of Eschscholtz, and it 

 is so named in the plate. Anxious, if possible, to retain and illustrate an old species, little 

 known, rather than add a new name, against my better judgment I persisted in this opinion. 

 On more recent consideration, however, I feel bound to abandon it, and do so the more 

 willingly, since it enables me to retain the name of its discoverer as patron-saint of at least 

 one of the new species here described. 



It may perhaps be disputed whether the genus Polyxenia is its proper place, and 

 whether I do right in changing the characters of the genus as above. An earnest conside- 

 ration of the probability of the nature of the animal, very imperfectly described by the founder 

 of the genus, induces me to do so. His figure of Polyxenia cyanostilis appears to me to 

 represent a mutilated animal, deprived of its lips ; and could we restore it, I beheve the repre- 

 sentation now given (Plate IV, 2, a, natural size ; 2, h, much enlarged) would closely approach 

 the figure of the creature delineated in the ' System der Acalephen.' 



