1896] On Funiculina and Kophobelemnon. J 



Funiculina quadrangularis, also in the Bergen Museum. I then 

 found, that before the coenosarc was detached, the axis in Kolli- 

 ker's specimens was apparently round; but that after its removal r 

 it was easy to see that the axis was quadrangular. 



The same was the case with Leptoptilum gracile, var. norvegicum. 

 This also has a quadrangular, not a round axis. When the authors 

 described the axis as round, they must have been under an optical 

 delusion, for in certain lights, especially when the coenosarc is not 

 rem o ved, the axis may appear to be round. 



I found also that all the young Funiculina have spicules in 

 the tentacles. The presence of the spicules is not, however, inva- 

 riable. In many polyps, the tentacles are altogether destitute of 

 spicules; in others the spicules appear in only a few tentacles. In 

 some tentacles they only occur singly, while in others we find them 

 in a close row along the middle of their aboral side. In a speci- 

 men from Sandefjord, 198 mm. in length, the spicules closely re- 

 semble those in Leptoptilum gracile, var. norvegicum, in size as 

 well as in arrangement and number. The same was the case with 

 the 175 mm. long Funiculina quadrangularis from Herlofjord. 



It is possible that an absorption of the spicules in the tentacles 

 takes place in the older Funiculina, for the larger the sea-pen, the 

 smaller is the number of calcareous spicules to be found in the 

 tentacles. In older, fully-developed specimens, where the polyps 

 are disposed in transverse rows, the tentacles are as a rule destitute 

 of spicules. When, therefore, Kolliker says that in Funiculina 

 quadrangularis the tentacles are without spicules, the statement 

 applies only to older animals. But even in these, calcareous spi- 

 cules can occasionally be seen. For instance, in a 927 mm. long 

 specimen from the Bergen Fjord, I found scattered spicules in a 

 few of the tentacles. 



The result of the comparison is therefore as follows: 



Leptoptilum gracile, var. norvegicum must be struck out of the 

 system. It is an early stage of Funiculina quadrangularis. The 

 two specimens of K6llikee's Leptoptilum gracile that are in the 

 Bergen Museum, are also early stages of Luniculina quadrangularis. 



I will not venture at present to strike out the whole genus 

 and species Leptoptilum gracile, as the „Challenger" Expedition 

 brought back several specimens, some of which may possibly have 

 round axes. Kollikeb, says: „In the axis radiating fibres are 

 wanting, and are represented by the same oval plates, which I have 



