HYDROZOA. Cml. 16 
Steinmann, G. Ueber fossile Hydrozoen aus der Familie der Cory- 
niden. Palaeontographica, xxv. pp. 101-124, pis. xii.-xiv. 
New genera : SphcBractinia^ Thalaminia, ElUpsactinia, PorosphcBra, 
and Cylindrohyphasma, 
The literature on Stromatopora is mentioned here, because Carter 
in several papers defends its hydrocorallian nature and analogy with 
Millepora ; while Dawson upholds its belouging to the Foraminifera ; 
and Nicholson & Murie, from negative evidence, place it among Calci- 
spongicB^ as a peculiar aspiculose type, “ with a continuous skeleton com- 
posed of non-spicular granular calcareous matter.^’ Their argument 
is chiefly based on the negative evidence that an alliance with Millepores, 
Foraminifers, Hexactinellid Sponges, Polyzoa, and Corals is impossible ; 
as respects their hydrozoal connection, the authors express themselves 
with greater reticence, admitting the possibility that evidence of such 
affinity may still be adduced. In Stein mann’s paper, Stromatopora, 
Loftusia, ParTceria, and Lahechia are considered as Uydrozoa, with several 
new generic forms, named above. 
SiPHONOPHORA. 
Studer (24) describes two new species of RMzophysa, conifera and 
inermis, brought to the surface in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans by 
means of the sounding line, from depths probably between 800 and 2000 
fath. ; their histological anatomy is also worked out ; in R. conifera the 
polypites are provided each with a tentacle, without any cnidophorous 
filament, in R. inermis this organ is wanting. An account is also given 
of a new genus and species, Bathyphysa abyssoriim, which is, however, 
only incompletely known. Though good reasons are given for the 
abyssal character of these Siphonophora, it must be noted that so experi- 
enced an observer as A. Agassiz doubts its validity ; Bull. Mus. 0. Z. v. 
14, pp. 290 & 291. 
Claus (7) gives an exhaustive account of the microscopical structure of 
Halistemma tergestinum, with comparative observations on that of other 
Siphonophora. The polymorphic character of the order is also dis- 
cussed. Among the more general results of this investigation, the follow- 
ing may be cited. The longitudinal muscular fibrils in the stem and in 
its different appendicular elements are all placed on the outside of the 
hyaline basement membrane and its radial lamelliform productions, and 
belong to the ectoderm ; a delicate layer of circular fibrils is often de- 
veloped on its inside, and belongs, in like manner, to the cells of the endo- 
derm ; it is a hitherto overlooked fact that the portion of the stem 
bearing the swimming bells is torn spirally into a direction opposite to 
that of the inferior portion, which carries the polypes, tentacles, gono- 
phores, &c., probably in all Siphonophora ; likewise, partly, the peculiar 
angular tabulation of the periphery of the sac-like dilatation of the axial 
stem in Physophora, and the histological details in relation with this dif- 
ferentiation of the basement membrane, its muscular annexes, &c. It is 
further shown that the locomotive bells are developed in the same manner 
as other medusoid bodies, the radial vessels (for instance) being formed 
