166 
Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa. 
but predominantly double spheres. On the other hand, specimens from 
Pieter Faure," 15291e, Pieter Faure," 15291a, " Pieter Faure," 10476, 
Pieter Faure," 795c, " Pieter Faure," 14430, which I regard as M. varia- 
hilis var. molle, have predominantly only double crosses. The two varieties 
may, however, occur in the same haul of a dredge (P. F. No. 655). 
I have described the form Metalcyonium variahile var. durum fairly 
fully in a previous paper under the name Metalcyonmm patagonicum, May, 
but it now appears to me that the occurrence of spicules in the stomodaeal 
tube, and other characters of the spicules and their arrangement, separate 
these forms from the species described by May. I have had the opportunity 
of examining the type " Challenger " specimen of Alcyonium antarcticum in 
the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, and Hickson's specimen 
from South Africa under that name does not agree with the " Challenger " 
form. 
These specimens of Metalcyonium variahile appear to be extremely 
interesting as bearing out Prof. Hickson's contention as to the great 
variability of sedentary animals. Here we have a species which shows the 
greatest variation in colour, in shape, and in the form and arrangement 
of the spicules. 
Localities, etc. — "Pieter Faure," No. 13125a. Cape Morgan, N.N.E. 9f 
miles. Depth, 47 fathoms. Collected by dredge. Nature of bottom, broken 
shells. Date, July 25, 1901. 
" Pieter Faure," No. 655. S.S.W. of Cape Eecife. Depth, 256 fathoms, 
Collected by dredge. 
"Pieter Faure," No. 13459. Sandy Point, N.E. by N. 6| miles. 
Depth, 51 fathoms. Collected by dredge. Nature of bottom, broken shells 
and stones. 
" Pieter Faure," No. 13135. Cape Morgan, N.N.E. 9f miles. Depth, 47 
fathoms. Collected by dredge. Nature of bottom, broken shells. Date, 
July 25, 1901. 
" Pieter Faure," No. 2668. Vasco Da Gama, N.W. } N. 8 miles. Depth, 
41 fathoms. Collected by dredge. Nature of bottom, rocks. Date, April 
27, 1900. 
" Pieter Faure," No. 12108. O'Neil Peak, N.N.W. J W. 8 miles. Depth, 
55 fathoms. Collected by dredge. Nature of bottom, broken shells. Date, 
February 28, 1901. 
" Pieter Faure," No. 13419. Mound Point, North 2^ miles. Depth, 34 
fathoms. Collected by dredge. Nature of bottom, stones. Date, August 
14, 1901. 
" Pieter Faure," No. 13373. Cape Morgan, N.W. I W. 6J miles. Depth, 
45 fathoms. Collected by dredge. Nature of bottom, broken shells. Date, 
August 13, 1901. 
" Pieter Faure," No. 2668. Vasco da G-ama, N.W. | N. 8 miles. Depth, 
