ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
639 
of Gephyrea. In the course of growth of the polyp and the worm the 
primitive shell is gradually absorbed and tubular perforations put the 
cavity of the tube in connection with the exterior. 
Astrseopora.* * * § — Mr. H. M. Bernard has some notes on the genus 
Astrseopora , as represented by the specimens in the British Museum. 
These specimens number altogether only 30, and may be taken to 
indicate the rarity of members of the genus. They fall into 14 groups, 
which are sufficiently distinct to rank as species, but of these 14, five 
only have been as yet recorded. The earliest known stage is represented 
by a minute plate-like growth of coenenchymatous reticulum, not quite 
3 mm. long. There is a central calicle, readily distinguished by its 
size, and an irregular ring of smaller daughter calicles. The whole is 
contained in a saucer-like epi theca, with edges bent up all round free 
from the substratum. Comparison with adult specimens shows that 
there are at least three fairly distinct methods of growth, according to 
which such an initial colony as that just described may develope further. 
Mr. Bernard has therefore divided the genus primarily according to the 
methods of growth. These are explanate, pulvinate, and globular. The 
chief characters of taxonomic value presented by the calicles are their 
average size, their distance from one another, the fine structure of their 
margins, and, when protuberant, the character of the protuberance. 
The most characteristic feature of the genus is afforded by the coenen- 
chyma. This is constructed of two elements — the costas, which, instead 
of being lamellate, break up into long tapering echinulae ; the echinulae 
are united with one another by regular, nearly horizontal floors. The 
different appearances presented by the corolla are largely due to the 
respective developments of these two elements. When, as in cases of 
rapid growth in thickness, the costal elements are most developed, the 
surface is highly echinulate, and the synapticular floors, on the other 
hand, are then often feebly developed. Again, in cases of explanate 
growth, the echinulae may be feebly developed and the horizontal floors 
strongly. Mr. Bernard comes to the conclusion that Astrseopora has no 
close relation to Turbinaria , and gives the reasons for his opinion. They 
are found indeed to differ from one another as far almost as two coenen- 
chymatous corals could differ, from the very outset of their respective 
life-histories. 
Alcyonaria from Ternate. j — Herr A. Schenk continues his account 
of the Alcyonaria collected by Kiikenthal.f He now describes the 
Clavulariidae and the Alcyoniidae. Three new species of Clavularia are 
described, and are called respectively G. ternatana , C. inflata, and 
C. aspera. Two already known species of Alcyonium are mentioned, 
and of Sarcophytum there are six new species, brief descriptions of which 
are given. 
Gerardia.§ — Mr. 0. Carlgren has been so fortunate as to find spirit- 
preserved specimens of Gerardia in the museum at Stockholm. An 
anatomical investigation of this genus has long been ardently desired, as 
* Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., xvi. (1895) pp. 273-81 (1 pi.). 
t Zool. Anzeig., xviii. (1895) pp. 325-31. 
t See this Journal, ante, p. 540. 
§ Ofv. k. Yet. Akad. Fork., lii. (1895) pp. 319-34 (7 figs.). 
