42 ARVID R. MOLANDER, ALCYONACEA. 
Sympodium massa. 
In his treatise, Korallenthiere des rothen Meeres, Berlin, 1834, EHRENBERG men- 
tions a species, Sympodium massa, from Norway, near Dröbak, in the Christiania 
Fiord. 
»Subpollicare, obducens, pulvinatum, subceonicum, spongiosum, molle, flavum, 
animalculis albis: In sinu Christianiae prope Droebak vivum semper observavi. » 
Concerning this species, only one report has been made in the literature. MAY 
mentions it (1898), but does not discuss the subject. TIt is possibly identical with Alcyo- 
nium digitatum var. norvegicum (Kor. and DAN.) 
Sympodium margaritaceum. 
The two specimens on which GRIEG bases his investigation are small and have 
only a small number of polyps. One of these specimens is tape-like in shape and therein 
differs considerably from the other, which is membranous, and, in consequence, has 
a shape which is much like that of Alcyonium digitatum var. norvegicum. "The anthocodiae 
are placed with a space of from 1 to 2 mm. between them and have a calyx. The antho- 
codiae, however, are retractile. 'The spicules in the anthocodiae are closely packed and 
are strongly thorned. In the upper part of the anthocodia, the spicules are placed close 
together in eight longitudinal, double rows, and are composed of sparse rods and spindles, 
with low thorns. In the tentacles, the spicules are placed very close and at right angles 
to the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The pinnulae are thick and clumsy, 8 to 9 on 
each side, and are without spicules. The length of the spicules in the polyp is from, 0.16— 
0.28 mm., in the tentacles, 0.12 mm. In the bark of the colony there exist short strongly 
thorned spicules with girdles (dumb-bells), mixed with somewhat longer rollers, about 
0.15 to 0.2 mm. in length. In the inner coenenchym there exist spicules, which much re- 
semble those of Alcyonium digitatum var. norvegicum. The anthocodiae are closely packed 
on the colony and are from 1 to 1.5 mm. in length. The original type of the spicules is 
the same as in Å. digitatum var. norvegicum; the difference consists in a more powerful 
armature in the anthocodia, and in consequence, a larger thorn-formation results in 
the spicules. In addition, the spicules of the bark and the inner coenenchym are some- 
what more closely thorned. In other respects, GRIEG has confused spicules from the 
inner coenenchym with those from the bark. The difference in the shape of the colony 
is great, but the variation in this respect within the group in question is great enough 
to embrace this too. I consider Sympodium margaritacewum GRIEG to be an Alcyonium 
digitatum var. norvegicum. 
Sympodium EHRENBERG, 1834. 
Diagnosis: Colonies membranous or stoloniferous, without dimorphismus. All 
polyps with generative tissue. The armature consists of small rods and crosses, or irre-- 
gular calcareous bodies, often flat or laminated, slightly thorned or granulated. 
1906 a Sympodium KÖHENTHAL. 
