462 
ZOOPHYTES. 
C. Allmani , Thompson. 
A species of Corynactis, differing considerably from C. viridis, Allman 
(Ann. Nat. Hist., vol. xvii. 417, pi. 11), has been procured by dredging in 
Belfast Bay and Strangford Lough (15 to 20 fathoms). It is somewhat 
doubtfully on my part given as specifically distinct from C. viridis ; but 
Professor Allman, to whom a specimen was submitted in a living state, 
considers it to be so. 
Spec. Char . — C. with several regular concentric series of capitate ten- 
tacula, those of the third and fourth rows being about equally regular and 
numerous as those of the two outer rows ; those nearer the mouth irre- 
gularly disposed. 
The colour — red of various shades— is wholly different from that of C. 
viridis, though not included in the diagnostic characters. 
Genus Zoanthus. 
Z. Couchii, Johnston. 
{Dysidea? papillosa, Johnst. Brit. Sponges, p. 190, pi. 16. fig. 6.) 
This species, dredged from a depth of 15 to 20 fathoms in Strangford 
Lough, on the 22nd June, 1846, by Mr. Hyndman and myself, was brought 
home in a living state, and proved on the expansion of its tentacula to be 
a Helianthoid Zoophyte. It was then noted as — “ coming very near Zoan- 
thus, Cuv. (Rfeg. Anim., vol. iii. p. 293, edit. 1830), if indeed it should be 
generically separated from it. The character of each individual rising from 
a common base does not apply to it, and the generic character must conse- 
quently be either altered to suit the species, or this be constituted a new 
generic form.” Other observations made at the same time are now unne- 
cessary (as the sequel will show) ; the preceding note is given merely with 
reference to one on this subject at p. 252, second edition, British Zoo- 
phytes. 
When on board Mr. M‘ Andrew’s yacht at Southampton, Sept., 1846, 
Professor Porbes pointed out to me living specimens of Zoanthus Couchii 
(according to the Cornish Fauna) which had been dredged off the southern 
coast of England, and these to my surprise proved to be the same spe- 
cies as I had obtained. 
All the specimens named Z. Couchii, that I had previously seen, were 
the very different Sarcodictyon catenata, Forbes (Johnst. B. Z., p. 179,* 
pi. 33, figs. 4 — 7, 2nd edit.). On referring to Couch’s work, I agreed with 
my friend about the identity of the species, which, being certainly the 
same as that from Strangford Lough, decided, at least to my mind, the 
question that D. ? papillosa and Z. Couchii are not distinct. Dr. John- 
ston, not having seen the living animal, placed his D. papillosa doubtfully 
among the sponges. In doing so he judiciously remarked, that it is 
nearly allied to the Alcyonium ocellatum of Ellis and Solander, Zoop., 
p. 180, tab. i. fig. 6 ; and it is probable that the two productions are of 
the same nature, whatever this may be.” — Brit. Spong. p. 191. 
This species was dredged by us in Strangford Lough in 1835, as no- 
ticed in the Annals (vol. v. p. 254). It was, as on the last occasion, found 
adherent to dead bivalve shells — Venus aurea, V. ovata, Corbula striata . 
The figure referred to in the British Sponges represents the species from 
this locality. 
* Dr. Johnston has here (p. 180) correctly brought, the Yonghal species 
under this — it is the Zoanthus Couchii of my Report. 
