On Tubularia crocea in Plymouth Sound

During my visit to the Plymouth Laboratory in September, 1895, Mr. Roach brought in, on the 28th, some fine colonies of Tubularia which he had found attached to the stern of a large three-masted sailing ship, the Ballachulish, of Ardrossan. This ship had come direct from Iquique, Peru, and after staying a few days in the Sound left for London. The Tubularia was kindly given to me for identification by Mr. E. J. Allen. After making drawings and noting the variation of the different organs, I came finally to the conclusion that as it agreed so closely with Parypha crocea, Agassiz, from Boston Harbour, there was no need to add another species to the genus. I was fortunate to meet with colonies of both sexes, and to find the ova in various stages of development. I believe enough material has been preserved to trace the development of the ovum, which shows a remarkable similarity to the development of the ova from the medusa of Hybocodon prolifer.Actinulæ were being liberated in large quantities when the colonies were taken from the ship, so it is possible that this hydroid may become an interesting addition to the fauna of Plymouth Sound.To distinguish this species it is necessary to examine the female gonophores, and count the number of apical ridges. Agassiz states that the number varies between six and ten, but only eight were present in my specimens. The male gonophore is destitute of ridges, and usually terminates in a blunt apex.