46 ANTIPATHES HUMILIS. 



Suborder ANTIPATHRAIA .-Edw. & H. 

 Antipathes (CirrMpathes) Desbonnii Duch. & Mich. 



Our specimens are 50 to 55 cm. long, but not much more than 1 mm. in 

 diameter at the base ; densely covered with small spines. The polyps are 

 of the type with long tentacles, are confined to one side of the stem, and seem 

 to be alternately large and small. 



Barbados, 100 fathoms. 



Antipathes (Arachnopathes) columnaris Dlcuass. 



PI. IX. fig. 8. 



The singular growth of this species deserves a few words in addition to 

 Dr. Duchassaing's description. The stem is simple, the branchlets in verticils 

 close together, themselves verticillate and occasionally biverticillate, coalescing 

 occasionally. Branchlets spinous, not nodose, the spines triangular and com- 

 pressed, small. The central reticulate column mentioned by Duchassaing is 

 hollow, and the habitation of an annelid which appears to compel the coral- 

 lum to form an abnormal growth of that shape. We see a similar action of 

 parasitic annelids in some true corals, such as Lophohelia, Stylaster, Allopora, 

 and others. Every one of the specimens dredged was affected in that way, 

 the annelid being still in place in most cases. The total height is 9 to 10 cm. 

 The polyps could not be observed. 



Barbados, 100 fathoms. 



Antipathes humilis Poukt. 



PI. IX. fig. 9. 



A variety of this species was dredged off Barbados. It differs from the 

 typical form from Cuba by its more simple and regular mode of branching. 

 The short stem throws off on each side, at different heights, a simple branch 

 forming a short curve and then growing parallel to the main stem. From 

 the base of that branch another sets off in the same manner and in the same 

 plane, and so on, so that the whole resembles certain fruit-trees trained on a 

 wall. The Cuba spociiuens branch according to the same plan, but do not 

 adhere to it so regulai'ly. 



