REPORT ON THE ANTIPATHARIA. 153 



Bathypathes alternata, n. sp. (PI. IX. figs. 7-10). 



Stem slender, straight or slightly flexuose, bearing alternate lateral branches, the 

 lower ones longer and, in their distal portions, gracefully incurved, the others gradually 

 becoming shorter towards the apex. Spines short, thorn-like, with a broad base, not in 

 a distinct spiral, in some cases appearing as if disposed in irregular verticils. 



A single specimen of this species from Station 246 measures 18'5 cm. in length, and 

 the stem near the base has a diameter of 0'6 mm. In general appearance this form 

 approaches Bathypathes patula, but is more slender ; the branches are regularly 

 alternate, instead of being subopposite, and the spines are more numerous and without 

 regular arrangement (PI. IX. figs. 7-10). 



The stem has a dilation at the base, by which the specimen is attached to a small 

 stone. It is nearly straight, but has a slight curve to the right in the lower portion. 

 The basal 7 '5 cm. of the stem is without branches. In the succeeding; 10'2 cm. thirteen 

 branches are given off on the right side, and twelve on the left. These are lateral, and 

 pass out at a moderate acute angle in the lower portion, but above, the angle is not so 

 wide. At first the branches, which are regularly disposed, are about 4 mm. apart, in the 

 middle portion they are a little more crowded, but towards the apex the interval is again 

 increased. The lowest branches are 10 '5 cm. long, and in their distal half are gracefully 

 curved upwards, so as to approach the stem. The others have a similar arrangement, 

 but become shorter and shorter towards the apex, until the final ones are only 2 to 2 '5 

 cm. long. The diminution in length is gradual. The branches are nearly in one plane, 

 and the breadth of the specimen across the lower branches is 14 to 15 cm. 



The zooids, which are only preserved on a few of the branches, are of the same type 

 as in Bathypathes patula, but smaller. The gastro- and gonozooids are of equal size 

 (excepting in the reproductive season ?), and are separated by a space equal to half the 

 length of the zooids. In the basal portions of the branches the zooids are more distant, 

 as is frequently the case in other species. They average 1*4 mm. long and 0'65 mm. broad. 

 The mouth in the gastrozooids is elongated in a direction transverse to the axis of 

 the branch. 



The sclerenchyma is black in the lower portion of the stem and branches, and nearly 

 smooth, becoming fulvous and more distinctly spinose above. 



The spines are in seven or eight irregular longitudinal rows, and are thorn-shaped, 

 flattened, and have an elongated base. They are not disposed in regular spirals, and, 

 indeed, in some parts appear as if in irregular verticils. The spines are disposed in 

 longitudinal rows, four of which may be seen from one aspect. They are more numerous 

 in some rows than in others, and the members of a row are from two to five lengths apart. 



Habitat. —Station 246; July 2, 1875; lat, 36° 10' N., long. 178° 0' E. ; depth, 

 2050 fathoms ; bottom, Globigerina ooze. One specimen. 



(ZOOL. CHALL. EXP. — PART LXXX. — 1889.) Llll 20 



