32 ARVID R. MOLANDER, ALCYONACEA. 
norvegicum, Ålcyonmium glomeratum, etc. The calyx is in most cases of altogether too 
temporary a character to be employed as a means of distinction between different fa- 
milies or genera. i 
3) The differences drawn between Nidaliina eand Alcyoniinae, as regards the shape 
of colony, that Alcyonmiinae has no dividing line between the shaft and the upper part of 
the colony, I do not consider to be a good characteristic. As regards Nidaliopsis, KÖKEN- 
THAL (1906) states that an obvious dividing line does not exist. 
4) The spicules are a little different in both the sub-families. But also within Al- 
cyoniinae spicules of the same type as in Nidalvinae are found with different genera (Sar- 
cophytum, Acrophytum etc.) 
The systematization of KÖKENTHAL in the case of Alcyomiidae can not be retained. 
I can not, however, discuss the more detailed systematizing of Alcyoniidae, as I have 
not had the opportunity to investigate allthe species of this family. Further, I refer 
to p. 22. 
On p. 17—22 I have already pointed out that the membranous shape of the colo- 
nies not is a characteristic which refers to Cornulariidae. We find many species of Alcyo- 
nium which are membranous. In case of Sympodium EHRENBERG, this genus contains 
membranous or stoloniferous forms. Sympodium is strongly limited by KUKENTHAL, 
who refers to this genus only S. coeruleum EHRENBERG. The totally retractile anthoco- 
diae, the small, flat and irregular spicules, and the membranous shape of colonies he 
indicated as characteristics of the genus. He also refers Sympodium to Cornulariidae. 
For the following reasons I cannot approve KÖUKENTHAL's conception as regards the 
position of Sympodium within Cornulariidae. (Compare p. 19.): 
1) The membranous shape of the colony is not decisive, for many other families 
contain specimens which are also membranous (p. 19). 
2) The spicules of Sympodium within S. coeruleum do not show the characteristic 
of Cornulariidae (p. 25). 
3) The power of total retraction of anthocodiae is not possible within Cornularvidae 
(p. 25) and this peculiarity proves a higher stage of development. 
KUKENTHAL only refers S. coeruleum to Sympodium with the characteristics of the 
genus. In 1847 FORBES described Sarcodictyon catenata. He classifies Sarcodictyon 
catenata in proximity to Alcyonium. Most authors (MAY, HICKSON, BROCH) identify 
it with Clavularia. HERDMAN (1883, 1894), who gives a distinct and careful description 
of this species, retains the genus Sarcodictyon. "The stoniferous or membranous shape 
of colonies, the shape of spicules, and the total retraction of anthocodiae (HERDMAN 
1894) provide distinctions which place the genus close to Sympodium, in the opinion of 
KÖKENTHAL. 
If we consider the very acceptable conception of KUKENTHAL in the case of Sympo- 
dium as sufficient, the differences between Sympodium EHRENBERG and Sarcodictyon 
FORBES are unimportant. On account of this I refer Sarcodictyon with its species cate- 
nata to Sympodium. TI have not investigated the type-specimens of Sympodium catena- 
tum. I have, however, investigated a specimen of Sympodium from the west coast of 
