44 ' PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIOXAL MUSEUM. vol.43. 



The polyp bodies are not regularly corrugated as in many species 

 of the genus, but have a tough leathery surface, ^vith a few irregular 

 wrinldes due to slmnking. Polyps of a dull purplish color below, 

 livid above, this color extenthng along the greater part of the doi'sal 

 surface. The tentacles are erect, more rigid than usual, their inner 

 and lateral surfaces being deep purplish-brown, as are the distal 

 parts all around. The pinnules are about 24 on each side, their 

 doi'sal sides livid, the rest purplish-brown. Their bases are overlaiil 

 with comparatively large, bar-like colorless spicules, most of wliich 

 are longitudinally chsposed. Some of them are over 1 mm. in length. 



Very large, bar-like spicules, some of them 2.5 mm. long, are 

 embedded in the tough coenenchyma of the tentacle bases, a group 

 of several being longitudinallj' disposed along the proximal doi'sal 

 part of each tentacle and reaching to the pinnules. 



The general integument of the polyps, racliis, and stem is filled 

 with minute calcareous bodies of an oval or biscuit shape, wliich are 

 too small to be seen with the unaided eye. 



The zooids are veiy numerous, but small and inconspicuous. 

 They surround the polyp bases and extend downward in ill-defined 

 triangular patches nearly to the bottom of the swelling below the 

 rachis. They are also scattered between the polyps on the rachis; 

 but the polyps are so compactly crowded on the racliis that there 

 is but little room left for zooids. 



The whole head is so symmetrical that one can not tell without 

 dissection whether there is a terminal polyp or not. 



Spicules: These have been described. Some of those on the 

 tentacle bases are by far the largest that I find mentioned as found 

 in the Umbellulidie, except in Z7. durissima Kolliker. 



Color: The stem is grayish, end-swelling and bulb yellowish- 

 brown; basal parts of polyps redchsh-brown or dull purplish, distal 

 parts of bodies and dorsum of tentacles to near tips livid. The rest 

 of the tentacles and most of the pinnules are rich purplish-brown, 

 almost a wine color. 



Xoca^i/?/.— Station 4973; Shio Misaki Light, N. 82° E., 12.5 miles; 

 GOO fathoms. 



Type-specimen.— Cat. No. 30009, U.S.N.M. 



This is the finest Umhellula that the writer has seen. It may 

 possibly be U. durissima Kolliker, which it resembles in spiculation 

 and color; but it can not be placed here until intergrading specimens 

 are found. 



