REPORT ON THE ALCYONARIA. XXxiii 



anterior portions of the polyps are retractile within a distinct calyx portion. A 

 canalicular system with relatively wide canals sends its ramifications throughout the 

 axis. 



5. Anthothela, Verrill, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xi. No. 1, 1883, p. 40; Proc. 



Nat. Mus., vol. ii. 1879, p. 199. 

 BHareum, Sars, Faun. litt. Norveg., p. 63. 

 This genus was established by Verrill for Briareum grandijlo'i'um, Sars. The 

 colonies form incrustations, or are upright and branched with a distinct axis formed of 

 spindle-shaped spicules. The pol)'ps are large, projecting, and not retractile, but 

 when closed they terminate in eight lappets, which are fomied from the bases of the 

 incurved tentacles. The ccenenchyma of the cortex contains large nutritive canals, 

 fine capillary sap-canals as in the Alcyonidae, and a few larger longitudinal canals which 

 also perforate the axis. The large polyps possess digestive cavities, which impinge on 

 the axis. 



6. Paragorgia, Milne-Edwards, Hist. Nat. des Coralliaires, t. i. p. 190. 



Briareum ( pars), Blainville, Manuel d'Actinologie, p. 520. 

 This genus forms upright, branched, mainly cylindrical colonies, with irregularly 

 distributed polyps having wart-like calyces, into which the anterior portion of the polyps 

 may be withdrawn. The somewhat vaguely defined axis contains large longitudinal 

 canals. Besides the normal polyps (autozooids) Paragorgia nodosa, Kor. and Dan., has 

 also siphonozooids without tentacles. 



7. Briareum, Blainville, Manuel d'Actinologie, p. 520. 



Here the colonies form irregularly lobed upright masses. The axis, which is pene- 

 trated by canals, is but vaguely defined. The polyps, which are regularly distributed 

 upon the stem, are without calyces and entirely retractile within the substance of the 

 ccenenchyma. 



Subfamily 2. Spongiodermin^. 



Paragorgiaceee, KoUiker, Verhandl. phys.-med. Ges. Wurzburg, N. F., Bd. ii. p. 11. 



8. Titanideum, Agassiz, MS.; Verrill, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., No. 3, January 1864, 



p. 39 ; Mem. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. i. pt. iv. 1869, p. 10. 



This genus by the shape and habit of the polyps seems allied to the preceding genus 

 {Briareum), but has a well-marked stem which is spongy and very spiculose, but firm and 



