14 ARVID R. MOLANDER, ALCYONACEA. 
terons are either strongly reduced or are wanting. In the case of Gersemia clavata var. 
truncata I also have found similar direct canals. The points of the branches, which are 
somewhat swelled within this variety, carry numerous polyps. The coenenchym between 
the coelenterons of the polyps is insignificant and evidently the crowding between the 
coelenterons is great. 'The direct canals are large openings; the indirect cell-strings are 
mostly wanting. The crowding has enforced the great openings. and as the number 
of the coelenterons is constant in large parts of the branches, the direct canals are long 
retained. If we take a section lower down in the trunk, we shall find the coenenchym 
between the coelenterons better developed and we also shall find a well-developed 
solenia of endodermal canals and cell-strings (compare p. 50). It seems to be this form 
of direct connection to which KÖKENTHAL refers (1906, p. 93 and 101). 
In the genus Hunephthya we meet with some other conditions. The indirect con- 
nection in these cases appears, as a rule, in the form of a well-developed solenia. The 
crowding in the branches has been avoided by the coelenterons of the polyps being shorter 
and soon terminating, and in this manner the number of coelenterons is kept fairly 
constant. In addition, the more extensive branching has the result that, in the main 
trunks of the branches, the number of coelenterons is not so great, because when new 
polyps have been created though budding, these soon distribute themselves among and 
on the many minor branches. And even on the minor branches which carry anthocodiae, 
the number of coelenterons becomes relatively unimportant. This self-regulation of the 
number of coelenterons renders the crowding in the trunk and branches inconsiderable, 
and the coenenchym between the coelenterons is well developed. The indirect canal 
system prevails. An exception within this group is to be found in the specimens that 
have been investigated of Funephthya groenlandica n. sp., where we find direct connec- 
tion, and STUDER (1901) showed the existence of direct canals in the case of Funephthya 
flavescens (DAN.) (= E. racemosa STUDER). In the inner coenenchym of Z. groenlandica, 
however, between the coelenterons, there exists a powerful spicule-armament, especially 
in the upper part of the branches and trunk. This has possibly prevented a development 
of indirect canals and strings. This supposition is supported by the fact that lower down 
in the trunk and branches, where these spicules are not so numerous, the indirect cell- 
strings are developed, and the direct canals are rarer. In many other cases, as for instance 
Anthomastus purpureus, however, the profuse appearance of spicules in the inner coenen- 
chym has shown itself to be accompanied by an unimportant developement of indirect 
canals. 
As regards E. groenlandica and E. flavescens in the form described by STUDER, 
these present the characteristics of young or stunted growth, with insignificant branch- 
formation (as before demonstrated, the copious branch formation is of considerable assist- 
ance in the distribution of the coelenterons), and it is possible that also in this lies a 
reason for direct canals existing here. 
