KUNGL. SV. VET. AKADEMIENS HANDLINGAR. BAND 51. N:o |l. 39 
Spicules of inner coenenchym are distinguished, above all, by abundant ramification; 
they are abundantly thorned rods and spindles, crosses, and irregular spicules. (Fig. 11 d.) 
Spicules of anthocodia somewhat shorter, broader spindles, rods and clubs. (Fig. 
11 f.) Length of spicules 0,3 mm. i 
BrRocHu has correctly found the principal types, as concerns the bark spicules, although 
it must not be forgotten that, even in Alcyonium digitatum, there are to be found longer, 
more rod-shaped spicules, with girdles, even if, in this case, they have feebler thorns. 
The largest of the types, however, which BrRocH has found from the bark, is not nor- 
mally to be found there, but in the inner coenenchym. With regard to the spicules of 
the inner coenenchym, in the case of type II, I found, besides the shape noted by BRoCH, 
the rather exceptionally ramified, irregular spindles, and the characteristic, broad crosses, 
with their long branches. (Fig. 11 d.) As regards the armature of the anthocodia, the 
difference between the types of spicules is less, and these merge more into each other. In 
general, however, there exists a more powerful armature in the case of the A. digitatum 
var. norvegicum. In this variety the spicules are somewhat more ramified and have 
more numerous thorns, which are closely packed. The stronger development of 
armature in the variety produces a smaller power of retraction of the anthocodiae; a 
calyx is often developed. The expansion of the anthocodiae, also, is not so strong as in 
the main species, and the bark of the colony is rougher. The transitions between the 
two types are numerous. 
The canal system apparently deviates very much from the normal, with regard 
to the membranous forms. The indirect, vertical canal system is very little developed, 
and the thin cell-strings are placed in the vicinity of the walls of the coelenterons. At 
the base of the colony we find, on the contrary, a development of the canals. In this 
case, we must distinguish between two different kinds of canal systems: 1) The ori- 
ginal horizontal canals and cell-strings, which unite the polyps indirectly. (P1. TIT fig. 
35, 36.) The canals may, at times, be of considerable dimensions in width and height. 
2) Sometimes, between these canals and the bases of the coelenterons, there are developed 
a direct connection, above the lateral, and strings. This connection between the polyps, 
however, soon disappears again. (PI. TIT fig. 31, 34.) I have seen less frequently, in 
the case of the species in question, direct connection between the polyps, as is often 
the case with other species. That this direct connection between the coelenterons is 
developed at the base of the colony is due to the fact that, in the case of this species, as 
well in that of the nearly related Alcyonium membranaceum, A. reptans, ÅA. contortum, 
the indirect canals or cell-strings, at the base only, are better developed. 
Near the circumference of the membranes, where the polyps are wanting, the hori- 
zontal canals often coalesce with each other through short transverse strings and there- 
by give rise to large canals, which, consequently, run at an angle to the longitudinal 
direction of the colony. (PI. ITT fig. 36.) 
The question now is whether the points of view here adduced can justify a di- 
vision of the northern species of Alcyonium. The mode of growth of the colonies is of 
no importance for differentiating various species, as in this respect the variations are 
too great. The armature falls into two types, but transitions between these types are 
