480 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
provided with connective-tissue-cells rich in protoplasm ; these are very 
numerous, particularly in the central parts, where they lie close to one 
another ; in the lower part, where there is only one glandular hand, the 
connective cells are less numerous, and the gland-cells are elongated and 
tubular. Elsewhere the gland-cells are large and ampullaeform. 
Relation of Septa of Parent to those of Bud in Blastotrochus.* * * § — 
Dr. G. v. Koch has been able to determine that each of the two septa 
which lie in the plane that contains both the primary axis and the 
longest diameter are directly continuous with the two primary septa of 
the bud. 
Cerianthus membranaceus. j — M. L. Faurot points out that the dif- 
ferences in length presented by the first eight mesenteries of Cerianthus 
call to mind the disposition of parts in the Rugosa. Although there is 
a want of bilateral symmetry in the development of the septa, the two 
sides of the animal always agree in the arrangement of the mesenteries 
in groups of four. 
Antipatharia.J — Prof. F. Jeffrey Bell gives a description of a very 
fine example of the “ Black Coral ” of the Mediterranean, lately added to 
the exhibition series of the Natural History Museum. It is more than 
six feet high and six feet wide, and its beauty is due to the closeness 
of the reticulation of the branches. The base spreads over an area of 
350 by 200 mm., and from it spring two great trunks. The specimen 
was taken by sponge-fishers near Euboea. 
A remarkable Antipathid from Mauritius is also described. As the 
specimen is dry, it is not possible to say exactly what is its generic 
position ; it is provisionally called Antipathes, while the specific name 
of Bobillardi marks its discoverer. Several trunks arise abruptly from 
a small horny base; these soon divide and give rise to a number of 
greatly elongated stems, many of which are, henceforward, simple. As 
a result, the appearance of the whole colony is very unlike that of most 
Antipathids. Where the sclerenchyma is well preserved it has the 
appearance of being transversely striated, as its dark colour is relieved 
by narrower and lighter bands ; the horny axis has a shagreen-like 
spinulation, and the spines are blunt and very numerous. There are, 
altogether, about forty-five stems, the longest of which measure almost 
exactly one metre. It is to be hoped that spirit specimens with the 
polyps preserved will enable us to complete our knowledge of this very 
remarkable form. 
Ampullae of Millepora Murrayi.§ — Dr. S. J. Hickson has discovered 
that the ampullae of M. Mur ray i do not contain ova or embryos, but 
modified dactylozooids bearing very large sperm-sacs only. The ova of 
M. Murray i are quite small, and similar to those of M. plicata. Every 
fact, as it is discovered, in the anatomy of Millepora separates it more 
and more from the other Hydrocorallinae. 
* Morphol. Jahrb., xvii. (1891) pp. 334-6 (8 figs.), 
t Oomptes Rendus, cxii. (1891) pp. 443-4. 
j Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond., xiii. (1891) pp. 87-92 (2 pis.). 
§ Rep. Brit. Assoc., 1890 (1891) pp. 863-4. 
