KUNGL. SV. VET. AKADEMIENS HANDLINGAR. BAND 5l. N:o ll. 35 
From this it appears that there exist both a well developed endodermal indirect 
connection and, more rarely, a direct connection. The general construction of the colony, 
without differentiation in trunk and branches, the big lobe-like branches, the position of 
the anthocodiae, the altogether retractile polyps, point to Alcyonium. The adventitious 
formation of calyx has led KUKENTHAL astray, and has induced him to class this speci- 
men with Gersemia (sensu KUKENTHAL). In other respects, the species differs in the 
whole of its construction from the types which KUKENTHAL refers to Gersemia. 
Among the Alcyonmium-species, this species approaches nearest to the ÅAlcyonium 
glomeratum HaAssaL. This is particularly the case as regards the bird”s-nest-like for- 
mation of calyx, and the vigorous development of spicules. The spicules, both in the upper 
and lower part of the polyp, show a great likeness in shape and dimensions to those of 
Alcyonium glomeratum. The insignificant differences cannot justify a distinction be- 
tween Bellonella variabilis STUDER and Ålcyonium glomeratum HaAssaL. The former, 
however, may be considered as an incompletely developed specimen of Alcyonium glo- 
meratum. 
In 1901, STUDER described a new specimen, Alcyomium compressum, which, according 
to his own statement, greatly resembled Alcyonium glomeratum HASSAL, but which is 
distinguished from it by the cylindrical shape of the lobes and the more evident calyx. 
The spicules, too, are said to present divergencies from those of A. glomeratum. With 
regard to the shape of the lobes, this cannot be relied upon as a specific characteristic; 
as, in this respect, there exists great variety in Alcyonmium, the younger and smaller forms 
of A. glomeratum being devoid of any formation of lobes. The existence of a more pro- 
minent bird”s-nest-like calyx is of still less value as a specific characteristic. As regards 
the spicules, STUDER has no figures, but the account of their shape and measurements 
corresponds with that of Alcyonium glomeratum. STUDER distinguishes, in Å. compressum, 
between an outer layer with small rods and spindles, and an inner layer with longer 
spindles and rods. In ÅA. glomeratum, on the contrary, he has found, in the calyx and 
the bark of the colony, spindles, rods, and clubs, 0,3 mm. in length, alternating with small 
rollers with girdles, etc. On an investigation of a specimen of Alceyomium compressum, 
I found, however, a complete correspondence with spicules from ÅA. glomeralum; a num- 
ber of large spindles of 0,3 mm. in length, small rods and clubs appearing beside small 
rollers with girdles mingled as in the case of A. glomeratum. Consequently I identify 
Alcyonium compressum with A. glomeratum. 
Aleyonium bocager (KENT). 
As regards Gersemia bocagei (KENT) and G. studeri (v. KocH), on the other hand, 
these differ considerably from Alcyonium glomeratum. ”Ihe difference between Ger- 
semia bocagei and G. studeri appears to be unimportant. The insignificant differences 
between the spicules of the anthocodia can scarcely be made a criterion for differenti- 
ating the species. The ramification in the case of Gersemia studert is, on the contrary, 
much less developed, but in all probability the specimen of this species is young. Of 
these T have only examined Gersemia bocagei, i. e. Nidalia atlantica STUDER, which by 
