THE GORGONACEA OF THE SIBOGA EXPEDITION 



III. THE MURICEIDjE 



BV 



C. C. NUTTING, 



Professor of Zoology, State Cniversity of Iowa. 



With 22 plates. 



Introductory note. 



The author desires to express his satisfaction in being given the opportunity to study 

 the superb collection of Gorgonacea secured by the Siboga Expedition. 



The series of Muriceida is undoubtedly the most extensive that has ever been collected 

 by any one expedition, or treated of in a single report; the number of species being more 

 than three times as great as was secured by the justly famous Challenger Expedition. 



Xotwithstanding the gratification naturally feit in having the privilege of reporting on 

 such a notable collection, the writer can not refrain from expressing his sincere regret that it 

 has seemed necessary for Dr. Verslüys to forego the completion of his work so auspiciously 

 inaugurated by the production of his masterly monographs on the Chrysogorgiida and the 

 Primnoidcc, works which, in the opinion of the present writer, are not surpassed in completeness 

 and manner of presentation by any other publication on the Alcyonaria. 



The responsibility of taking up the task thus laid down, and of attempting to hold up 

 the Standard of excellence thus set before him, is keenly feit by the author. 



It is a pleasure to bear testimony to the excellent condition of the collection and the 

 care taken in preserving the records and securing the safety of the specimens themselves. The 



SIBOGA-EXPEIUTIE XIII II. t 



,*793 



