B-3 



two species of the genus Anthomastus , three species of Eunephthya 

 and Traahythela rudis . 



In the Gorgonacea the colonies typically have a central core 

 consisting either of a calcareous or proteinaceous material 

 (gorgonin) or a combination of both substances. In the suborder 

 Scleraxonia the core (also called medulla) contains calcareous 

 spicules either loosely held together or fused into a solid mass. 

 Some species of scleraxonians grow as lobate encrusting masses 

 outwardly similar to some alcyonaceans , but these usually also 

 develop into upright free standing colonies. Several species are 

 dimorphic. The two most common species of scleraxonians occurring 

 off the northeast coast are Paragoria arborea and Anthothela 

 grandi flora. 



In the second suborder of gorgonians , the Holaxonia, the colonial 

 axis is partially or totally composed of a proteinaceous, horn- 

 like material called gorgonin. This material is deposited in 

 concentric layers and has either a solid or hallow, chambered 

 center. In genera such as Primnoa the axis is heavily permeated 

 with calcium carbonate, in others {Acanella) it is segmented such 

 that sections of gorgonin alternate with ones made up of solid 

 calciiim carbonate. There are no dimorphic species in this sub- 

 order. Off the northeast coast the most common species of 

 holaxonians are Primnoa reseda, Paramuricea grandis and Aoanthogorgia 

 armata. Also known from this area are Paramuricea placomus , 



