PHYLOGENETIC REMARKS. 
The first author to publish phylogenetic remarks about the Antipatharia was G. von 
Koch j ), who deduced the Antipatharia from Actinia-like organisms, via Gephyra Dohrnii , 
described by him, and which appeared to be a Sayar Ha-species. According to von Koch the 
polyps are very much like several small Actinia in microscopical anatomical structure, but with 
a very reduced musclesystem ; this reduction is explained by him as a result of the reduction 
of the size of the polyps and the forming of colonies. For the same reason the number of the 
tentacles is reduced, as is found in almost every coral-colony. The reduced condition of the 
mesenterial filaments along most of the mesenteries, except the transversal ones, instigates von 
Koch’s opinion that the ancestral forms of the Antipatharia had six mesenterial filaments and 
so six antimeres also. 
Haacke 3 ) is of the same opinion as von Koch; the Antipatharia remain in a state, 
which is intermediate between the Edwardsia- and the Halcampula-stadium. 
Brook (i) is of opinion that the Antipathinae approach nearer to the Cerianthidae than 
to the Hexactiniae, on ground of his microscopical anatomical data. He pays attention especially 
to the place of the mesenteries, the thin mesogloea without star-shaped connective tissue cells, 
the ectodermal layer of musclefibres in the actinopharynx and in the bodywall, and the rudi¬ 
mentary condition of the mesenterial musclefibres. Notwithstanding the latter character Brook 
makes an attempt to compare the mesenteries of the Antipatharia with those of the other 
Zoantharia. He comes to the conclusion that Leiopcithes (= pars Antipathes ), with its six pairs 
of mesenteries, is the original type ol the Antipatharia, from which the other genera with five 
or even three pairs of mesenteries are to be deduced through reduction. Leiopcithes with its 
twelve mesenteries is compared by Brook to the Halcampula-stage of the Hexactiniae. 
Opposite the opinion of von Koch. Haacke and Brook, who advocate the hypothesis 
that the Antipatharia are reduced forms, may be placed the opinion of Ed. van Beneden, 
Goette, Roule a. o., who regard the Antipatharia as primitive, not reduced organisms. 
Van Beneden ( 7 ) in the first place contradicts Brook’s opinion that Leiopathes should be 
regarded as the perfect ancestral form of the Antipatharia; the mesenteries of Leiopathes are 
not to be homologized with those of the Halcampula-stage. Besides the place of the tentacles, 
1) Mitteilungen liber Coelenteraten ; Zur Phylogenie der Antipatharia (Morphol. Jahrb. Bd. IV, Suppl. p. 74—86). 
2) Zur Blastologie der Korallen (Jenaische Zeitschrift, Bd. XIII, p. 269 — 320). 
