from three (3) to seven (7). Estimating ten to the .•■y. this specimen exhibited 

 about/i-e thousmid polyps, all of which, as well as the polyps in the other speci- 

 mens, were filled with ova, of an orange color. In the next section of this spec- 

 imen, the length between the last polyp-row and in- sn\ll of the base or root, is 

 eleven and one quarter (III4) inches ; thence 'o th ■ tcunination of the base, six 

 (6) inches. 



In some specimens, the polypiferous portion m.akes from one to two turns 

 around the axis in its entire length. Plate IX, fig. 1, exhibits the general 

 aspect of the species, reduced to a scale of one inch to the foot ; fig. 2, a 

 section of the polypiferous part of one of the oldest and largest specimens. 



The average dimensions of thirty-six (3G) of the axes in the Museum of the 

 California Academy is five feet six and one third inches in length, and the diam- 

 eter of the largest, nine thirty-seconds of an inch ; diameter of smallest s^DCci- 

 men, one sixteenth of an inch. 



Dr. Blake's specimens were preserved in a mixture of glycerine and alcohol, 

 and the more delicate tissue of the polyps appears to have been somewhat in- 

 jured by the latter ingredient. 



Additional specimens of the above species, from the same locality, have been 

 received from J. S. Lawson, Esq.,* of the U. S. Coast Survey, by George Dav- 

 idson, Esq., President of the Academy. These latter were put in glycerine 

 only, and are in better condition than those received by Dr. Blake. Of 

 the specimens received from Mr. Lawson, some individuals are younger 

 than either of Dr. Blake's. In these the polyp-rows are farther apart, and 

 there are not so many polyps in the row ; neither do the ends of the rows ap- 

 proximate so closely on the side opposite the axial edge; the polyps being not 

 nearly so many in the same length, or presenting (as do some of Dr. Blake's 

 specimens) so crowded an appearance. In cross-section through the polypiferous 

 portions, the younger individuals are less oval or acutely-ovate than in the older 

 specimens. A comparison of individuals indicates an external differentiation, 

 analogous to that displayed by specimens of the same species in Yirgularia. 

 The general aspect of this species, judging from the figure in Plate XXXI of 

 Johnston's British Zoophytes (2d ed.), is like P. quadrangular is from Oban, on- 

 ly in that species the rows of polyps, it is stated, are composed of " four, five 

 or six polyps in a row," one figure showing seven. 



I have named this species for Dr. James Blake, of San Francisco, author of 

 many valuable scientific papers, to whom I am indebted for numerous courtesies. 



* The following remarks accompanied the specimens received from Mr. Lawson: "Ob- 

 tained from fishermen by J. C. Hughes, Esq., of Burrard's Inlet, (Gulf of Georgia), at the 

 request of Jas. S. Drummond, Esq., of Victoria, who kindly and keenly interested himself 

 for me. JAMES S. LAWSON." 



