REPORT ON THE ANTIPATHARIA. 119 



another part. The zooicls are small and crowded ; they are not always disposed in a 

 single row on the stronger portions of the corallum, though this is usually the case 

 on the branchlets and pinnules. Such rows of zooids are not, however, invariably confined 

 to one surface of a branchlet, but may turn gently round the axis. There are usually 

 about seven zooids to 1 cm., but they are more crowded on some parts than on others. 

 The zooids are of the normal type in this genus, and show a slight elongation in the 

 transverse axis. The peristome is elevated into a rounded knob, between the sagittal 

 tentacles, on the surface of which the mouth opens. The tentacles are short, sub- 

 cylindrical, and relatively thick. 



The spines are very irregular in shape and size. On the slender pinnules they form 

 dense and irregular masses, apparently arranged in no particular order. Each spine is 

 very thick and often shows one or two dilations due to the irregular deposition of one 

 horny layer on the top of another. This condition is followed by a more regular one in 

 which the spines are distinctly arranged in dextrorse spirals, between which a single 

 spine appears to be regularly interposed (PI. I. fig. 6). In such cases the spines are 

 more regular in size and shape ; they are somewhat hooked upwards, and always have a 

 blunt apex. The spirals are not so steep as those of Antipathella minor. Five 

 longitudinal rows may be counted from one aspect, four of which are included in the 

 spiral arrangement. The members of a row are about two lengths apart. On the 

 stronger portions of the corallum the spines become more slender and pointed. 



I was at first inclined to regard this specimen as identical with Antipathella 

 reticulata (Esp.), an East Indian species, but an examination of the Copenhagen 

 specimens of that species has shown the two forms to differ considerably, both in the 

 form and in the arrangement of the spines. 



Habitat— Station 308; January 5, 1876; lat. 50° 8' 30" S., long. 74° 41' 0" W. ; 

 Strait of Magellan ; depth, 175 fathoms; bottom, blue mud. 



Antipathella contorta, n. sp. (PI. I. figs. 8-11). 



A fine spirit specimen of this species from the Strait of Magellan measures 60 cm. in 

 length and 45 cm. across the broadest part. Two or three large pieces are preserved, 

 which may have all formed one colony. The base is not preserved, but the strongest part 

 of the stem (?) consists of two parts fused together, and has an oval section measuring 

 1*6 x 0"8 cm. Another single stem or main branch is nearly round, and has a diameter of 

 1 cm. Each stem or main branch gives rise to three or four strong branches, 5 to 8 mm. 

 in diameter, which extend chiefly in one plane. Numerous more slender portions pass 

 across from one branch to another, forming an open and irregular reticulum. The strong 

 branches are long and irregular in their course (40 to 50 cm.), and have a section which 

 in some parts is round, in others much flattened. These give rise to a number of smaller 



