IX.—Supplement to a "Catalogue of the Zoophytes of South Devon and South Cornwall," with descriptions of new species

THE ANNALS

AND

MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY.

[FOURTH SERIES.]

No. 44. AUGUST 1871.

IX. — Supplement to a u Catalogue of the Zoophytes of South
Devon and South Cornwall f with Descriptions of new Spe-
cies . By the Rev. Thomas Hincks, B.A.

[Plates V. & VI.]

In 1861-62, I published, in the pages of the * Annals, 7 a
“ Catalogue of the Zoophytes of South Devon and South
Cornwall,” including under the term u zoophyte” the Hydroida,
the Lucernarian section of the Discophora, the Actinozoa, and
the Polyzoa — in short, the groups embraced in Dr. Johnston’s
L History.’ As many as 241 species* were recorded as occur-
ring in the district, of which 18 were new to science and 3
found a place for the first time in the fauna of Great Britain.
Others have been met with since, including two or three very
interesting new forms of Hydroida, which I have lately pro-
cured by dredging, in Salcombe Bay ; and in the present
Supplement 24 species are added to the list, raising the whole
number of south-western forms hitherto observed to 265.

A few species which had only been found in the north have
their range of distribution extended southward. Syncoryne
eximia , which I have noted, in my i Histoiy of the British
Hydroid Zoophytes,’ as confined to the north-eastern coast,
where it is the common representative of its family, has just
occurred to me in great abundance in South Devon. Calycella
fastigiata (Alder) and Halecium sessile (Norman) are added to
the group of forms which is common to the western side of
Scotland and the south-west of England. Diastopora sar-
nie?isis (Norman), found hitherto only in the Channel Islands,
proves to be also a native of the Cornish coast.

The new species of Hydroida which I am about to describe
are peculiarly interesting. One of them must be referred to a

* I omit Tubularia Dumortierii , which was inserted in the Catalogue
by mistake.

Ann. <f; Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 4. Vol. viii.

6

74 Rev. T. Hincks’s Supplement to a Catalogue of

new genus of Coryniclce , exhibiting curious intermediary cha-
racters ; the other is a Campanularian distinguished by its
exquisitely graceful calceoliform capsule. I have also recently
obtained the gonozooid of the genus Lovenella (Hincks), which
had not been previously noticed. It presents some very di-
stinctive peculiarities, and confirms the title of the form to
generic rank, which hitherto rested on characters supplied by
the trophosome alone.

For the sake of convenience, and to mark the connexion
between the present paper and its predecessor, I have retained
the term zoophyte in the title in the sense originally given to
it in the Catalogue.

Subkingdom C (ELEN TEE A TA .

Class HYDROZOA.

Order HYDROIDA. Suborder Athecata.

Family Clavidse.

Genus Tubiclava, Allman.

T. lucerna , Allman.

On loose stones in a rock-pool, Torbay [Allman) ; on Murex
erinaceus (living), dredged in Salcombe Bay ( T . //.).

In the u Catalogue ” I have remarked, under Clava multi -
cornis , that there is much diversity in the extent to which the
polypary is developed in that genus, and that in some cases it
covers a third or more of the body of the polypite. I have
little doubt that the specimens which exhibited the more fully
developed polypary, and suggested this remark, should be
referred to Tubiclava , and not to Clava .

Family Podocorynidae.

Genus Podocoeyne, Sars (in part).

P. carnea , Sars.

On Nassa reticulata , off the Oar Stone, Torbay ; Salcombe
Bay, on the same.

The Nassa is seldom dredged without this zoophyte as a
u commensal.”

Family Corynidae.

Genus Coryne, Gaertner.

C.pusillaj Gaertner.

Salcombe, in the higher rock-pools ; common.

When the u Catalogue” was published, the species of Co-
ryne and Syncoryne had not been accurately determined. The

the Zoophytes of South Devon and South Cornwall . 75

form to which I have assigned Gaertner’s classical name is
distinguished by its sparingly branched, closely annulated
stems, and its long linear polypites, with very numerous ten-
tacles. It prefers the higher and smaller pools, while C. vagi -
nata usually fringes the sides of the larger and deeper pools,
nearer to low-water mark, amongst a luxuriant growth of
Algae.

Genus Syncoryne, Ehrenberg (in part).

S. eximia , Allman.

Salcombe Bay, dredged on stones, sponge, &c. ; abundant.

The Devonshire specimens were inferior in size to those
which I have obtained from the Durham and Yorkshire coasts,
but richly coloured and (in May) profusely laden with gono-
phores.

S. pidchella, Allman.

Salcombe, North Sands, in rock-pools. The polypites were
of a watery-white colour, with occasionally a slight tinge of
orange. Gonophores were obtained towards the close of May.

Genus Gymnocoeyne, nov. gen.

Gen. Char. Polypites clavate, sessile, rising immediately
from a filiform stolon, invested by a delicate chitinous poly-
pary ; tentacula capitate, very numerous, the uppermost fur-
nished with large capitula and forming a circle round the oral
extremity, the rest scattered over nearly the whole of the body.
Reproduction unknown.

This interesting form differs from Coryne , as Clava from
Tuhiclava , in the absence of a distinct stem clothed with a
polypary ; the polypites are truly sessile. I have not been
able to satisfy myself that there is even a slight sheath of
chitine, as in Clava , round the base of the body. If such a
structure exists, it must be of the most filmy and rudimentary
character.

Another point in which this genus differs from Coryne is the
disposition of the uppermost tentacles in a perfect circle (usually
consisting of 8) round the oral extremity of the body (PL Y.
fig. 1 j a). They have thicker stems and much larger capitula
than the rest of the tentacles, and constitute a single verticil
closely resembling that of Clavatella when in a state of con-
traction. Nothing of this kind occurs in Coryne: the oral
tentacles, indeed, are frequently larger than the rest; but they
are never disposed, as in Gymnocoryne , in a regular wreath so
as completely to encircle the body a little below the mouth.

6 *

76 Rev. T. Hincks’s Supplement to a Catalogue of

The remaining tentacles in the present form, which are ex-
tremely numerous, are slender, and have small eapitula ; they
are scattered over the body, and extend to within a very short
distance of the base of it.

In its polypite this genus has points of resemblance both to
Coryne and Clavatella ) combining some of the characters of
each. Ry the total absence of a stem clothed with a polypary,
it is separated from all the rest of the Corynidce. In this re-
spect Clavatella comes nearest to it.

Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity of examining
the gonozooid. No trace of reproductive bodies appeared
among a large colony which I succeeded in keeping alive and
in perfect health for about three weeks.

G . coronata ) n. sp. PL V. figs. 1, 1 a.

Polypites very minute, slender, enlarging slightly upwards ;
proboscis opake white, the central part of the body reddish ;
tentacles about forty (or more), a wreath of eight, with
rather stout stems and large eapitula, encircling the oral
extremity, the rest irregularly distributed, slender, and with
smaller eapitula, extending over more than three-fourths of
the body. Gonozooid unknown.

This is an exquisite species. The polypites are extremely
minute, not more, I should think, than one-sixth of an inch in
height ; some Clavatellce , which were kept in the same vessel
with the Gymnocoryne , appeared like giants beside it. The
verticil of oral tentacles encircles the conspicuous opake-white
proboscis like a crown ,• it is usually composed of eight ; but
nine are met with .occasionally . The other tentacles are scat-
tered over the body, but with the tendency towards a verticil-
late arrangement which prevails more or less amongst the
Corynidce ; they are very slender, and surmounted by small
eapitula, and decrease very markedly in size towards the base
of the polypite. The endoderm is laden with reddish granules,
which show through the transparent ectoderm ; the colour is
most vivid on the upper part of the body, and becomes fainter
below. The polypites are extensile, and become very slender
when fully elongated.

Hob. Salcombe Bay, in a deserted bivalve shell.

Family Clavatellidse.

Genus Clavatella, Hincks.

C. prolifera, Hincks.

Additional habitat. North Sands, Salcombe Bay, in the

the Zoophytes of South Devon and South Cornwall. 77

small basins on the higher blocks of rock. In May the gono-
zooid was obtained, laden with gemmae in various stages of
development. One specimen occurred with seven arms (six
being the more usual number), and bore seven buds — two
very fully developed, two more with the lobes formed, and
three in a very rudimentary state. On one of the young,
buds were already forming. The zooid seemed less active in
its habits than later in the season, when not burthened by so
heavy a load.

Family Eudendriidse.

Genus Eudendrium, Ehrenberg.

E. ramosum , Linn,

Note. — The polypites of this species are furnished with a
number of bosses, composed of thread-cells piled together,
which are ranged in a circle round the body, about halfway
between the base and the tentacles.

E. capillare , Alder.

Additional habitat : Salcombe Bay, not uncommon ; gono-
phores abundant in May.

Family Atractylidae.

Genus Perigonimus, Sars.

P. repens , T. S. Wright.

Salcombe Bay, on Turritella &c., and in rock-pools.

P. serpens , Allman,

u On the stems of Plumularia setacea , from about 12 fathoms,
Torbay” {Allman).

P. coccineus 9 T. S. Wright.

I refer to this species a Perigonimus , obtained at Salcombe,
which seems to agree on the whole with Wright’s description.
It is larger than P. serpens , and the polypary not so delicate
and yielding ; the body does not rise, when extended, high
above the top of the stem and assume a slender cylindrical
form, as in the last-named species. The colour is red, very
vivid just below the arms, but becoming much paler below.
The tentacles are twelve in number and colourless ; Wright gives
only eight in P. coccineus. The stem tapers slightly down-
wards. For safe identification we require much fuller and
more precise descriptions of many of the minute Hydroids
than we have yet obtained.

78 Rev. T. Hincks’s Supplement to a Catalogue of

Genus Bougainvillia, Lesson.

B . muscus , Allman.

u In a rock-pool, Torquay, where it occurred abundantly,
creeping over the bottom in small moss-like tufts n {Allman).

Family Tubulariidae.

Genus Tubularia, Linnaeus (in part).

T. Jiumilis , Allman.

Salcombe Bay, between tide-marks and dredged in shallow
water.

The T. Dumortierii of the u Catalogue,” I suspect, should
be referred to this species.

Suborder Thecaphora.

Family Campanulariidse.

Genus Campanularia, Lamarck.

Section c. With branching stems.

C. calceolifera , n. sp. PI. VI.

Stem filiform, subflexuous, simply pinnate or very slightly
branched, ringed above the origin of the pedicels. Hydro-
thecae alternate, rather small and delicate, campanulate,
with a plain and everted rim, borne on ringed pedicels of
varying length. Gonothecae (female) axillary, smooth,
calceoliform, spirally curved at the upper extremity and
tapering off below ; orifice a tubular passage projecting into
the interior, and opening out immediately below the spiral ;
borne on ringed stalks. Height of the shoot about 1J
inch.

The trophosome of this species is not marked by any very
distinctive features. The shoots are generally unbranched,
and very slightly flexuous ; occasionally one or two short
branches occur, but the habit is eminently simple. The caly-
cles arc of the usual campanulate shape, delicate, and graceful
in their proportions, and with a decidedly everted margin,
which gives them a very elegant appearance. The capsules
are produced in great numbers, and are ranged along both
sides of the stem, but seem to be confined to the lower half of
the shoot. They are perfectly hyaline, and of a unique and
singularly graceful form (PI. VI. figs. 3, 4). They are best
described as slipper-shaped; but the upper extremity is curved
into a most exquisite spiral, while the lower portion tapers
rapidly away towards the point of junction with the ringed

the Zoophytes of South Devon and South Cornwall. 79

stem. Immediately below the spiral a wide opening (PL VI.
fig. 3, y ) leads into the tubular passage by which the embryos
make their escape, which bends upwards within the capsule
and terminates in a circular orifice near the top (Pl. VI. fig. 3, a?).
The gonophores, which are numerous, form an elongated mass
nearly filling the cavity of the gonotheca ; the ova seem to be
discharged successively from the uppermost, and to pass into
the planule stage while lying free in the capsule. The em-
bryos, when mature, make their way by means of their cilia
towards the upper extremity, enter the tubular passage at x ,
and make their escape into the water at y (PL VI. fig, 5).

If the external tubular orifice of an ordinary Campanularian
capsule were reversed, and drawn within the cavity, so as to
project into it instead of projecting from the summit into the
water, and were then bent round and upwards on one side,
we should have the very form which is characteristic of this
species. A slight modification of structure has resulted in the
production of a most exquisite shape.

Hab . Salcombe Bay, on stones &c. - not uncommon.

Genus Lovenella, Hincks.

L. clausa , Lovdn.

On small stones, dredged off the Oar Stone, at the entrance
to Torbay, in about 10 fathoms ; Salcombe Bay, abundant,
especially on shells of Turritella communis .

When the genus Lovenella was first characterized, I was
only acquainted with the trophosome ; but in May I procured
specimens at Salcombe with gonothecas, and was able to study
the gonozooid, and so complete the diagnosis. The reproduc-
tive zooid is medusiform, and bears a general resemblance to
that of Clytia Johnstoni ; but there are important differences
in the number and position of the marginal bodies and in the
tentacles. The following should be added to the generic cha-
racter as given in my ‘ History of British Hydroid Zoophytes/
vol. i. p. 177 : —

Gonothecce borne on the stems and producing free medusiform
zooids.

Gonozooid . — U7nbrella (at the time of liberation) globose ;
manubrium short , with a simple orifice; radiating canals 4 ;
marginal tentacles of two kinds — 4 in connexion with the ra-
diating canals , of which two only are fully developed at the time
of birth, springing fi'om non-ocellated bulbous bases , 4 interme-
diate , of smaller size , without bulbs , slightly clavate } ivith
thread-cells only towards the extremity (?) ; lithocysts 4, one of

80 Rev. T. Hincks’s Supplement to a Catalogue of

which is placed halfway between each pair of the larger tenta-
cles and close to one of the smaller .

[PL V. figs. 2, 2 a, 2 i.]

The gonotheca of L, clausa is borne on a rather long ringed
pedicel, which rises from the stem a short distance below the
calycle. It is elongate in form, tapering off from the truncate
top to the base, the sides presenting a slightly sinuated out-
line. It contains many gonophores, from each of which a
medusiform zooid is liberated. The latter may probably un-
dergo important changes as it advances to maturity. At the
time of birth two only of the principal tentacles are fully de-
veloped, the remaining pair are represented by the bulbous
bases. The small intermediate tentacles are destitute of any
enlargement at the point of origin ; they spring directly from
the circular vessel, close to the lithocyst, which stands out
from the inner margin. They are extensile, and when at rest
are spirally contracted ; they are slightly clavate in outline,
and, as far as I could determine during a brief examination,
the extremity is rather thickly covered with thread-cells.
The lithocysts include a single spherule; numerous thread-
cells dot the surface of the umbrella.

The polypite of L . clausa is remarkable for its great length;
when expanded, it rises high above the top of the calycle
(Pl.V. fig. 2), and is a most beautiful object. The latter, tall
as it is, is often insufficient for the accommodation of its
tenant, and the body has to be bent, as represented in one of
the figures, or even looped , to find space enough within.

Genus Gonothyk^ea, Allman.

G . gracilis , Sars.

Salcombe Bay, dredged on shell.

This beautiful species was discovered by Sars at Bergen ;
it has also occurred on the coast of Connemara.

Family Lafoeidae.

Genus Calycella, Hincks.

C. fastigiata, Alder.

Cornwall, on Aglaophenia tubulifera and Diphasia pinnata y
from deep water. Also found in Shetland and the Hebrides.

Family HaleciidaB.

Genus Halecium, Oken.

Id. sessile , Norman.

Salcombe Bay, on Antennularia and Salicornaria .

the Zoophytes of South Devon and South Cornwall. 81

M OLL USC OIDA .

Class POLYZOA.

Order INFUNDIBULATA (Gymnolsemata, Allman ).

(Suborder Cyclostomata.

Family Tubuliporidae.

Genus Alecto, Lamouroux.

A. retiformis , n. sp.

Polyzoary lobate, the lobes diverging from a common centre,
much and irregularly branched, the branches anostomosing
so as to form a rude network, the extremities generally
bifid ; surface minutely punctate, and often grooved trans-
versely; zooecia scattered irregularly, the free extremities
of the tube projecting to a considerable distance, erect, ori-
fice plain. The polyzoary frequently rises into short cylin-
drical processes with a cellular apex.

Specimens of this fine species measure about an inch across,
and form somewhat circular patches. Four or five much-
branched lobes radiate from a central point, the ramifications
anastomosing freely so as to form irregular reticulations. The
extremities of the lobes and of the branches are bifid. The
surface is often much thickened and grooved transversely ;
but in the newer portions towards the end of the branches the
lines which mark the walls of the zooecia are distinctly visi-
ble. In one of my specimens the erect processes with cellular
extremities are numerous and characteristic. The colour of
the polyzoary is white.

The A. diastoporides , Norman, is perhaps the most nearly
allied species.

Hah. Sal combe Bay, on a valve of Pecten maximus ; Corn-
wall, on Pinna from deep water.

Family Diastoporidae.

Genus DiastopORA, Lamouroux.

D. sarniensis , Norman.

Cornwall, on stone from deep water.

Suborder Paludic ell ea.

Genus Paludicella, Gervais.

P. Ehrenbergiy Van Beneden.

On the underside of the leaves of water-lilies in the river
Clist, near Bishop’s Clist, South Devon {Par fit). This and

82

Rev. T. Hineks’s Catalogue of Zoophytes.

the following species of freshwater Polyzoa have been recorded
by Mr. Parfitt in his c Catalogue of the Zoophytes of Devonj’
which forms part of a fauna of the county, upon which he has
been long engaged*.

Order PHYLACTOLiEMATA.

Suborder Lophopea. Family Plumatellidae.

Genus Lophopus, Dumortier.

L. crystallinusj Pallas.

In a pond near Exeter, attached to the roots of Glyceria
ftuitans (Parfitt) .

Genus Plumateli.a, Lamarck.

P. repenSj Linn.

Note . — Mr. Parfitt records the occurrence of Allman’s var. a
on the leaves of water-lilies in the Clist river, near Bishop’s
Clist.

P. limnas , Parfitt.

On an old shell of Anodon cygneus in the canal, Exeter
(Parfitt).

P. lineata^ Parfitt.

On the leaves of water-lilies in a pond in Yeitch’s old
nursery, Exeter (Parfitt).

P. emarginataj Allman.

I learn from Mr. Parfitt that, since the publication of his
Catalogue, he has discovered this interesting form in the river
Clist, at Bishop’s Clist. This is, I believe, the first record of
its occurrence in England, though Prof. Allman obtained it in
various parts of Ireland.

Genus Fredericella, Gervais.

F. sultana , Blumenbach.

Near Penzance (Couch). Mr. Parfitt informs me that it
occurs plentifully in one or two places in Cornwall.

The affluence of the South-western fauna is abundantly
proved by the foregoing Catalogue and Supplement. As I
have remarked before, it is brought out strikingly by com-
paring the present list with the largest previously published,
Mr. Alder’s excellent c Catalogue of the Zoophytes of North-

* In this work an additional habitat is given for the rare 'Aglaophenia
pennatula , which maybe inserted here: — u Several *tufts of five or six
plumes each, of the typical form, were dredged in Salcombe Bay by F.
Walker, Esq The plumes measure from 4 to 5 inches in height.”

83

Dr. J. E. Gray on Trionyx Phayrei.

umberland and Durham/ in which 164 species are recorded
for the north-eastern district against 265 for the south-
western.

The species contained in this Catalogue and Supplement
are thus distributed amongst the various groups : —

Polyzoa

Hydroida ....

92

Discophora (Lucemariidse) . .

2

94

Zoantharia )

f Coralligena \

37

Alcyonaria J “

[ (. Huxley ) J

4

41

Cheilostomata

87

Cyclostomata . . ,

16

Ctenostomata . . .

17

Paludicellea . . .

1

Pedicellinea . . ,

3

Lophopea

6

130

265

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

Plate V.

Fig. 1. Gymnocoryne cor mat a > Hindis, highly magnified : 1 a, the circle
of oral tentacles.

Fig. 2. Lovenella clausa , Loven, with gonotheca, magnified : 2 a, the
gonozooid j 2 b, the same, seen from below.

»

Plate VI.

Fig. 1. Campamilaria calceolifera , Hincks, nat. size.

Fig. 2. A portion of a shoot, magnified.

Fig. 3. A gonotheca, magnified, to show the internal structure : x y the
internal tubular orifice \ y , the point of exit.

Fig. 4. Another gonotheca.

Fig. 5. The upper portion of a gonotheca, more highly magnified, show-
ing a plauule escaping through the tubular orifice.

Fig. 6. A gonophore, highly magnified.

X . — Notes on Trionyx Phayrei of Mr. Theobald and Dr.
Anderson. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c.

There seems an unfortunate fatality attending the tortoises
named after Lieut. -Col. Sir A. P. Phayre, late Chief Commis-
sioner of British Birma. Mr. Blyth named a Testudo after
him which has caused mtich controversy. Mr. W. Theobald,
in a paper published in the ‘Journal of the Linnean Society’