DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW GENERA AND SPECIES. 



Suborder GYMNOBLASTEA. 



Family EUDENDRIDiE. 



Genus EUDENDRIUM Ehrenberg (in part). 



Eudendrium eximium. 



PI. I. Figs. 1, 2. 



Trophosome. — Hydrocaulus attaining a height of about six inches, much 

 branched, with the main branches and subordinate ramuU alternate and 

 distichous ; main stem and origin of the principal branches fascicled ; ulti- 

 mate ramuli with nearly obsolete annulation at their origin. Hydrauths 

 with about twenty tentacula. 



Gonosome. — Female sporosacs springing irregularly from the body of the 

 hydranth and from its supporting ramulus. 



Dredged from a depth of 43 fathoms off the Florida Reef. 



This is a fine species, rendered conspicuous by its size and by its profuse 

 ramification. All the branches, both the primary ones and the subordinate 

 ramuli, are in the same plane. The main stem is strongly fascicled, and 

 towards its base acquires a thickness of nearly two lines. 



From E. ramosum o{ the Eui'opean coasts the present species differs in 

 the more extensive fascicuLition of its main stem, in the disposition of its 

 ultimate ramuli, which are not, as in E. rainosiim, confined to one side of 

 their supporting branch, and in the absence of very decided annulation at 

 the origin of the branches. 



All the specimens preserved in the collection are female, and the hydranth 

 of the sporosac-bearing ramulus shows no tendency to atrophy. 



