22S 



corals IS more thoroughly, mvestig-ated, 1 am inclined' to niclude 

 Gorgonia albicans in the family Gorgoniidae notwithstanding 

 the remarkable difference between il and Gorgi^nia flammea in 

 the character of the spicules. 



Studer (i6) in his original description of the genus Plalygorgia 

 stated that the spicules, although similar to the spicules of 

 h^unicella in form, are characterised by the fact that the clubs 

 attain the same length as the spindles. " Die spiculen sind 

 characteristisch in dem die Keulen hier die Lange der Spmdeln 

 erreichen." This is not confirmed by my specimens. 1 have 

 been able to compare carefully the spicules of my preparations 

 ot Platygorgia (Gorgonia albicans) with those of Eunicella 

 papillosa, and I have found them remarkably alike. The torches 

 (clubs) of both are on an average o. i mm. m length and the 

 spindles 0.14 mm. The torches are fairly uniform in size when 

 full grown, the s])indles are much more ^■ariable. The most 

 striking point, however, of the comparison is the extraordinary 

 resemblance in detailed structure between the torches of the 

 Eunicella and of the Gorgonia albicans. The examination of 

 my preparations of spicules alone would lead an}- one to the con- 

 clusion that they were taken from the same species. Vet the 

 specimen of Eunicella papillosa obtained on Rij Bank 25 fathoms 

 has a cylindrical axis and prominent verrucae, whilst the speci- 

 men of Gorgonia albicans picked up on the beach at Port Alfred 

 has a very much flattened axis, thin coenencliym and incon 

 spicuous verrucae. 



These facts seem to point to the conclusion that Eunicella 

 papillosa and Gorgonia albicans should be included in the same 

 genus and family. Further in\estigation of the anatomy of the 

 two forms is necessary to justify the suggestion tliat Eunicella 

 papillosa should be jilaced in the Genus Gorgonia, but I think 

 we should be justified in transferring Eunicella papillosa to the 

 family Gorgoniidae. 



G-orgonia, Albicans, Kollilier. 



Gorgonia allvcaiis. Kolliker, Icones liist. 



Eunicella paliiin, Venill. 



Platyfiorgiii alhicaiu Stiidcr, Arcliiv. Naturg. 53, i, p. 60. 



? Goriionia paliim.. Tar. alba. Esper., Pflan/.entliieff. 



Localities: (1.) Port Alfred. Beach dried. 



(2.) Off Gape St. Blai/c, S.W. Seal Island, W. '. S. 

 17 fathoms. Sand. 



The- colony of the lirst-naincd specinuMi is uprigiit, 300 

 iiiai. in height, branching in one plane, tlu- branclu-s 

 free, not anastomosing. Tiie stem and tin- inferior j^arts of the 

 branches are ver\- iiuicli flattened in the ])]ane of branching. 



