Podophrya gracilis, n. sp.  Fig. 65.

Of all the Podophrya that have been described not one approaches this minute form in the relative length of the stalk.  The body is spherical and is covered with short capitate tentacles.  The stalk is extremely slender, bent, and without obvious structure.  There are one or two contractile vacuoles in the distal half of the body.  The nucleus is small and is situated near the insertion-point of the stalk.  Reproduction not observed.  Diameter of body 8 mu; length of stalk 40 mu.  Only one specimen seen.

[Illustration:  Fig. 65.—­Podophrya gracilis.]

Genus EPHELOTA Str.  Wright ’78.

(Buetschli ’88; Ishikawa ’96; Sand ’98.)

Small to medium-sized and large forms; colorless to brown.  The body is globular or oval or wedge-shape, sometimes quadrangular.  The stalk is variable, sometimes 1 mm. in length.  The diameter of the stalk increases from the point of attachment to the body of the animal; it is usually striated either longitudinally or transversely, or both.  The tentacles are of two kinds and are usually confined to the anterior half of the body.  Some are long and sharp-pointed and adapted for piercing; others are short, cylindrical, usually retracted and capitate, adapted for sucking.  Contractile vacuoles vary from one to many.  The macronucleus is nearly central in position and usually of horseshoe shape, but is frequently branched and irregular.  Reproduction is accomplished by external multiple budding, usually from the anterior half of the body.  Salt water.

Ephelota coronata Str.  Wright.  Fig. 66.

Synonyms:  Hemiophrya gemmipara S. K.; Podophrya gemmipara
Hertwig.

The body is spheroidal, ovate, or pyriform, with numerous sharp-pointed tentacles and a few straight, uniform tentacles.  The stalk is about three times the length of the body and tapers from its widest part at the insertion in the body to the narrowest part at the point of attachment.  It may or may not be longitudinally striated.  This is one of the commonest of the Suctoria found at Woods Hole.  It is usually present on Campanularian hydroids, but may be found on algae and Bryozoa.

Length of body 90 mu to 200 mu.

[Illustration:  Fig. 66.—­Ephelota coronata.]

Genus ACINETA Ehr. ’33, Buetschli ’88.

(Stein ’54, ’59; Claparede & Lachman ’58; Quennerstedt ’67; Hertwig ’76; Mereschowsky ’79; Entz ’84; Kent ’81; Maupas ’83; Gruber ’84; Gourret & Roeser ’86, and others.)

Small to medium-sized forms.  The distinguishing feature is that the stalk is swollen at the distal extremity to form a cup or basin in which the animal rests.  The cup may be developed until the body is nearly inclosed.  The macronucleus is spherical or band form.  The contractile vacuole is usually single.  Budding, so far as known, is endogenous.  Fresh and salt water.