EASTERN COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. 



35 



polyps are much less slender in form, with more numerous tentacles. It is also, appar- 

 ently, nearly allied to Z. arcticus Sars, from Northern Europe. 1 



The above description has been prepared from alcoholic specimens in the Museum of 

 Comparative Zoology, received through the Smithsonian Institution. By a singular coin- 

 cidence, the same manuscript name was independently given to this species in 1861 both 

 by Dr. Stimpson and myself. 



Doubtful Species. 



The following species of Actinidce, which I have never seen, will require further exami- 

 nation before they can be referred to their proper genera. 



Actinia rapiformis LeSueur. 

 Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, i. p. 171 (1817). 



" Tentacula short, cylindric, equal, disposed in four rows ; body fleshy, very contrac- 

 tile, assuming different forms, and frequently those of a turnip and a pear, the former 

 of which it also resembles in its dull opaque white color; when contracted it is of a 

 subglobular form. The young are more transparent than the old, and are sometimes 

 of a darker color. 



" This species dwells in the sands of the coasts of the United States, and raises its head 

 above the common surface for the purpose of displaying its tentacula ; when contracted 

 in its habitation, it is concealed below the surface. The individual described was an inch 

 and a half in diameter and four or five inches in length. Discovered at Egg Harbor, on 

 the coast of New Jersey. It is necessary to observe that this Actinia is frequently disturbed 

 in its habitation by the waves of the ocean, and is found washed on the sands ; in this 

 event, a common observer would take it for a rotten pear, or something similar." 



Actinia neglecta Leidt. 

 Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 2d series, iii. p. 141 (1855). 



" Body, when closed, obpyriform or shortly cylindrical ; when expanded, cylindrical, 

 about an inch in length by one fourth of an inch in breadth, smooth, translucent olive- 

 green. Mouth elliptical, with the lip composed of six greenish-white lobes. Tentacles 

 numerous, up to one half an inch in length, brighter olive-green than the body. A single 

 specimen was found in the mud of a sound in the vicinity of Atlantic City, N. J." This is, 

 probably, an llyanthus. 



Anthea flavidula McCrady. 

 Proceedings of the Elliott Society of Charleston, S. C, vol. i. p. 280 (1858). No description. 



This is, possibly, the same as Dysactis pallida nob., but since it is merely mentioned by 

 name, there is no possibility of ascertaining its true place. 



1 Aftryk af Vidensk. Forhandlinger i Christiania, 1860. 



