54 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.43. 



CHRYSOGORGIA LATA Versluys. 

 Chrysogorgia lata Versluys, Chrysogorgiidae of the Siboga Expedition, 1902, p. 33. 



Colony incomplete, 18 cm. high and with a spread of about 8 cm. 

 The root is missing. The branch origins are in a left-handed spiral, 

 1/4; that is, the fourth will be immediately above the first, and the 4 

 origins will have made a single spiral around the stem. The average 

 distance between branches is about 4 mm., and they give origin to 

 branchlets up to the fourth order. There are about 3 polyps to each 

 internode of the branches and branchlets. The polyps are small, 

 about 1 mm. high to the base of the tentacles, and with bodies ovate 

 or columnar according to the state of contraction and 0.4 mm. in 

 diameter. Their walls are armed with 8 rather indefuiite vertical 

 rows of spindles which are bar-shaped with rounded ends. These 

 rows are extended over the basal portions of the tentacles, usually 

 in double rows. The tentacles are long, with smaller spicules usually 

 irregular in distribution but sometimes transversely disposed on 

 distal portions. There are small spicules also on the dorsal surfaces 

 of the pinnules. 



The branches have a thin coating of flattened, scale-like spicules. 



Color: The stem is grayish, lightening distally. The branches are 

 yellowish, with a golden gleam showing through from the iridescent 

 axis. The polyps are white. 



Localities. — Station 5091; Joga Shima Light, N. 15°, W., 4.2 

 miles; 197 fathoms. ? Station 5079; Omai Saki Light, N. 29° E., 24 

 miles; 475-505 fathoms. A mere fragment, not identified with cer- 

 tainty, was secured from this station. 



General distribution. — The type was taken by the Siboga Expedition 

 in Celebes Sea from a depth of 190 meters. Hawaiian Islands, 

 411-476 fathoms (Nutting). 



CHRYSOGORGIA FLEXILIS (Wright and Studer). 



Dasygorgia flexilis Wright and Studer, Challenger Reports, the Alcyonaxia, 1889, 



p. 10. 

 Chrysogorgia fleriUs Versluys, Chrysogorgiidce of the Siboga Expedition, 1902, 



p. 43. 



Several fragments, mostly destitute of polj^js, were secured. The 

 first nodes of the branches are much longer than in the original 

 description, although this is not true of the smaller specimens secured. 

 Branches in a right-handed spiral, 2/5, as described by Versluys from 

 the type. Branchings to the fourth order are produced. There is 

 usually but a single polyp to the internode, except in the distal ones, 

 where there may be two or three. The polyps are expanded above 

 and below, a typical one being 2 mm. in height. 



The walls show 8 vertical rows of bar-ljke spicules \vith ends 

 rounded and often expanded. There are a few verrucas on the 



