9 8 



Strait of Boleng, Solor, collected by a pearl fisher. Anthomuricea reticulata. 



Ternate, collected by the Dutch North New Guinea Expedition 1903. Heterogorgia reticulata. 



East coast of Pulu Weh, Sumatra, 40 fathoms. VAN NoUHUYS don. Acanthogorgia aruiata, Antho- 

 muricea brunnea. 



Aru Islands, collected by Dr. J. W. R. KOCH of the Dutch New Guinea Expedition 1904. Echino- 

 muricea pseudosassapo. 



It appears from the above list that Muriceidse were collected at 52 of the stations 

 occupied by the Siboga Expedition. An examination of the data furnished regarding these 

 stations shows that there were about 2 1 2 successful hauls from the bottom, and so it may be 

 said that specimens of Muriceidse were brought up from about one fourth of the stations where 

 the bottom was successfully reached. 



The richest haul was from Station 310, where no less than 17 species of Muriceidse 

 were secured, a really phenomenal yield. Other notable stations were Station 305, where 14 

 species were secured; Stations 260 and 274, where 13 species were brought up from each ; 

 Stations 117 and 164, each yielding 11 species; and Stations 204 and 289, each producing 

 9 species. 



On the other hand there were 22 stations that yielded but a single species each. 



Of the eight stations yielding more than 10 species, none were at a depth of less than 

 32 meters, and none was over 113 meters. This may indicate, in a general way, the richest 

 zone for muriceid life; but such generalizations must be made with great caution, as a few 

 lucky hauls in an unusually rich spot may materially and unduly effect the result. It should also 

 be born in mind that most of the explorations of the bottom made by the Siboga Expedition 

 were in comparatively shallow water, and a thorough investigation of the deeper waters of the 

 same region would be likely to demonstrate a profuse muriceid life at greater depths. 



The deepest soundings at which specimens of this family were secured was probably at 

 Station 280, 8°i7 / .4S., i27°3o'.7E., in Timor Sea where Echinomuricea collaris was brought 

 up from a depth of 1224 meters. Acanthogorgia aspera was dredged from Stat. 122 at a depth 

 of 1264 — 11 65 meters, and it is therefore possible that it came from a depth of 1264 meters. 



During the cruise of the U. S. Bureau of Plsheries Steamer Albatross in the Hawaiian 

 region in 1902 the deepest haul which secured a Gorgonacean was at a depth of 1,161 fathoms, 

 where a chrysogorgian, Pleurogorgia militaris Nutting was secured. 



The deepest water from which a muriceid was dredged by the Challenger was 700 

 fathoms, where Acanthogorgia longijïora W. and S. was secured. From the information available 

 to the writer, it thus appears that Acafithogorgia longijïora secured by the Challenger Expedition 

 is the inhabitant of the deepest water of all known muriceids. 



