34 STYLASTER. 



most aberrant genus of the family. The genus Endoheha is the only 

 one of which I have not seen a representative. From the description 

 it seems to be scarcely different from Cryj)tolielia, except in the extent 

 of the lii^-like appendage. 



To recapitulate, the characters of the family can be expressed as 

 follows : — 



Corallum generally branching, frequently colored, multiplying by 

 gemmation. Calicles small and deep, septa all equal, united by their 

 inner edges, and sometimes containing, in the closed interseptal 

 chamber, rudimentary septa of a higher order; in some genera the 

 septa are merged in the casnenchyma and the interseptal chambers 

 are at some distance from the calicle. Columella styliform or globular, 

 spongy, and hirsute. Ccenenchyma abundant, finely porous, and per- 

 meated by fine canals. 



\ calicles regular . . . Sttjlaster. 

 ( jjeniDiation alternate i i- i , i • ^ /-- , 7 ;• 



^ -.v V i- i * ) f calicles labiate . . . LniptokeUa. 



(with distinct septan •^' 



I ( gemmation irregular Allopora. 



Stylasteridae^ f calicles confluent on 



I septa obliterated, interseptal chambers | e>lge of corallum . . Dislichopora. 



L distant from fossa. . i ^.^,,^j^^ j^^,j.^^^ _ _ _ LepKlopora. 



1^ calicles witliout I'p . Errina. 



STYLASTER Gray. 

 Stylaster erubescens Pourt, 



Stijiaster ertihescens Pourt. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., No. 7. 



Plate IV., ficrs. 10 and 11. 



Branching densely, flabellate, not coalescing, rising from a broad 

 encrusting expansion ; younger branchlets slender, with rather close- 

 set alternate calicles ; older branches much thickened, with calicles 

 in irregular rows on one surface, interspersed with ampullae. 

 Caenenchyma smooth. Calicles slightly prominent, 1.2 to 1.5 mm. 

 in diameter, deep. Septa nine to twelve, most frequently eleven, 

 equal, shaped like folds of the wall, joined with each other at a 

 little distance below the edge of the calicle, thus forming pit-like 

 interseptal chambers. Tertiarj^ (?) rudimentary septa in the shape 

 of a hairy fringe, enclosed in these interseptal chambers. Columella 

 deeply sunk, rounded, and hirsute. Color white, with a delicate pink 

 blush when fresh. 



Dimensions : height and breadth of flabellum 10 cm., diameter of 

 largest stems 1.5 cm. Rather common between 120 and 324 fiithoms 

 off the Florida Reef, on rocky bottom. 



