34 Thomson, South African Gorgonacea. 



there is a curious cup-like swelling. This is 8 mm. m length, 

 6 mm. in breadth, and 4 mm. in height. The wall of the cup 

 is fairly hard, and evidently an out-growth of the axis. The 

 entire structure is probably an abnormality. The spicules of 

 the cortex are as follows : — Spindles from the cortex with wart- 

 like processes in whorls, from 0.075 x 0.041 to 0.090 x 0.036 

 mm. ; spindles from the cortex with wart-like processes irregu- 

 larly disposed, from 0.072 x 0.037 to 0.090 x 0.037 mm.; smaller 

 spindles with irregular wart-like processes, from 0.037 ^ 0.027 

 to 0.055 x 0.037 mm. The spicules of the polyps are fairly 

 similar in size. 



The original diagnosis of the genus Leptogorgia, by Milne 

 Edwards, was: — " Les especes a axe non calcifere, dont le 

 coenenchyme est pelliculaire c'est-a-dire tres mince, et d'un tissu 

 serre et dont les calyces n'ont pas les bords sai Hants. El les se 

 distingue done des Gorgones proprement dites, par I'absencc de 

 verrucs calci feres et s'eloigne des Plexaures par la disposition 

 du coenenchyme; qui, ches ces derniers est remarquablement 

 epars et d'une texture subereuse." Verrill (1867-71) defined the 

 genus as follows: — " Spicula of the coenenchyma mostly small 

 double spindles of two forms, longer and shorter. Branches 

 usually slender, sub-dividing in various ways; often reticulate, 

 pinnate or bipinnate. Cells usually prominent, sometimes flat, 

 mostly m lateral rows or bands." In the " Challenger" Report 

 Wright and Studer give the following definition of this 

 genus: — "The colony varies greatly in form, but is more or 

 less ramified in one plane. It often exhibits a net-like structure 

 from an anastomosis of the branches. The polyps sometimes 

 form short verrucas, and sometimes are completely retracted into 

 the coenenchyma. They are usually disposed in two lateral 

 rows, having between them the naked coenenchyma. Upon the 

 surface of the latter the courses of the larger tubes are indicated 

 by longitudinal depressions. The spicules are usually minute 

 double spindles of variable length." 



Close on forty species of the genus Leptogorgia have been 

 recorded, and I have felt reluctant to add another to the long 

 list, but I hold this to be a new species. Thomson and Hender- 

 son give a description of Leptogorgia ochracea which in some 

 respects is similar to this species. The apices of the branches 

 are, however, more pointed in Leptogorgia ochracea, the calyces 

 are smaller, and the spicules are larger than in my form. 

 Thomson and Henderson's description and figure are taken 

 from a dried specimen, but on drying part of my example it 

 is still obvious that it does not agree with their species. 



Locality, etc. — Pieter Faure, No. 12,164. Durnford Point, 

 N.W. by N., II miles. Depth, 45 fathoms. By dredge. Nature 

 of bottom, shells and stones. I3ate, February 28th, igoi. 



Leptogorgia, sp., juv. 

 A young specimen which belongs to the genus Leptogorgia. 



