KUNGL. SV. VET. AKADEMIENS HANDLINGAR. BAND 51. N:o |l. 51 
general construction of spicules depends on their situation and their function, whilst the 
details of their shape depend upon the closeness of their situation in relation to each 
other and on the existence of irregularities in the surrounding tissues. 
Within the genus, the evolution procedes from the clumsy, massive, more 
Alcyonmium-like colonies, to more slender Funephthya-types, from rods to spindles in the 
anthocodiae, from a weak to a strong armature. These changes afford a possibility for 
the classification of the species. On the other hand, we must not, as KÖUÖKENTHAL points 
out, attach too great importance to small variations in the strength of the armature, or 
to small variations of shape in the spicules. As regards the size of the anthocodia and 
the colony, and the colour of the anthocodiae and colonies, these are subject in a still 
higher degree to variation and cannot be relied upon as determining characteristics for 
different species. 
The shape of ramification of the colony and the canal system cannot be relied upon 
as definite characteristics. The shape of the colonies and the canal systems are often very 
typical in different species, the membranous variations, however, appearing in most spe- 
cies and increasing the difficulties of determination. 
In 1900, MaY gave in »Fauna arctica» a short diagnosis of every species in this genus, 
but this is altogether too uncritically drawn up to be of service, and KUKENTHAL has 
to some extent lessened the value of his complete and serviceable investigations by giving 
too many unimportant details in the description of the species. TI shall now endeavour 
to give a synopsis of the different species of this genus, based upon as few, but as reliable 
characteristics as possible. 'The great number of variations as regards most of the cha- 
racteristics naturally makes it difficult to obtain quite satisfactory results. 
Gersemia rubiformis (EHRENBERG), 1834. 
The anthocodiae are numerous on each branch. "The spicules in the upper 
part of the anthocodia are rods and spindles with feeble thorns. Lower part of the anto- 
codia without spicules. The spicules in branch bark (basal spicules) numerous, gene- 
rally short rollers with girdles (dumb-bells), 0.:—0.; mm. (Pl. TI, fig. 7.) 
1907, Eunephthya rubiformis, KÖKENTHAL. 
The colony varies much as regards size and shape. The ramification may also vary, 
the branches lying very close to each other and, as a rule, covering the short trunk. The 
branches are short and strong, with great extension in the points, and they often bear bran- 
ches of second order. The anthocodiae are practically exclusively packed on the points 
of the branches and are fully retractile; length 1—-3 mm. In a number of specimens there 
is a trace of a calyx, 0.5 mm. in height and surrounding the base of the anthocodia. This 
calyx, which is not frequent and which is insignificantly developed is, however, in no case 
different from that in other species, and is produced by a somewhat stronger develop- 
ment of spicules in the branch bark (basal spicules). 
The spicules in the anthocodiae are few in number, and, in some specimens, they 
are only found at the base of the tentacles. The lower part of the anthocodia is generally 
without spicules, although it may happen that, in the case of the most powerfully 
