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From Eunephthya they differ as follows: 
(1) there are no horizontal spicules in the polyp stalk, and there is no trace of a crown; 
(2) there is a stronger development of the spicules along the dorso-median line of the polyp 
stalk. But this, does not merit the title “Stutzbundel” as defined by Kukenthal, which implies 
some measure of distinct differentiation and projection. 
Thus although the new genus differs essentially from both Eunephthya and Dendronephthya, 
it has some of the characteristics of each. 
As diagnostic of the proposed new genus, which seems to us to link these two genera, 
or at anyrate the two sub-groups typified by these two genera, we emphasise the following: 
(1) the polyps arise singly, not in bundles in the Dendronephthya sense, and are crowded into 
rounded umbels; 
(2) there is no definite supporting bundle. What is present is at most a stronger development 
of the spicules along the dorso-median line of the polyp stalk, not attaining anything approaching 
a projecting point; 
(3) the anthocodial armature is more of the Dendronephthya type. It consists of en chevron 
points without even a pseudo-crown. The points on the outer convex surface are the strongest. 
They become weaker towards the inner concave surface, and in many cases the two inner 
points are rudimentary or entirely absent. 
Within the genus thus established, we recognise the following species: 
(1) Umbellulifera striata (Thomson and Henderson). 
Syn. Paraspongodes striata Thomson and Henderson. 
„ Dendroneph thy a umbellulifera Kukenthal. 
(2) Umbellulifera graeffei (Kukenthal). 
Syn. Ammothea graeffei Kukenthal. 
„ Lithophytum graeffei Kukenthal. 
1 ( 3 ) Umbellulifera petasites n. sp. 
These three species show a distinct gradation in development, e. g. in the strengthening 
of the spicules on the dorso median line of the polyp stalk. 
It is noteworthy that there are no spicules in the stalk or branches of U. graeffei , but 
in the two other species the spicules of these regions are of the same general type. 
Here we wish to suggest that Burchardt’s Spongodes planoregularis (Jenaische Denk- 
schrift, vol. VIII, (1894—1903): Semon’s Forschungsreise, vol. V, 1898, pp. 439—440, 6 figs.), 
may well belong to this Umbellulifera genus. Indeed Kukenthal suggested, in his Revision der 
Nephthyiden, Zool. Jahrb. XXI, 1905, p. 630, that his Dendronephthya umbellulifera came 
nearest to Burchardt’s D. planoregularis. 
The affinity between Burchardt’s species and our series is indicated by the following 
features: 
(a) the photograph of the colony shows the same peculiar branching, and the arrangement of 
the polyps in spheroidal umbel-like groups; 
(b) the surface of the upper cortex shows the same cross striation as in our Umbellulifera striata ; 
(e) “the supporting bundle is weakly developed and does not project”. 
