12 ALCYONAKIA, ANTIPATHARIA, AND MADllEPORAEIA COLLECTED BY THE 



This is a common species off the coast of Ireland (Stephens), in the 

 Bay of Biscay (Pioiile), and in the Mediterranean Sea. 



The Mediterranean species of Caryophyllia have been carefully 

 studied by de Lacaze Duthiers, and on the diagnoses given by the 

 distinguished French naturalist I have no difficulty in assigning all 

 the specimens that I have examined to the species C. clavus. It is 

 true that a few specimens appear to approach G. Smithii, which 

 de Lacaze Duthiers regards as a distinct species and not a mere 

 variety of C. clavus. The following measurements taken at random 

 will express better than words the fact that the crown has the 

 characteristic oval outline of C. clavus rather than the round outline 

 of C. Smithii: — 



Height . . . 26 mm. 21 18 16 13 



Maximum diameter 22 mm. 19 19 18 14 



Minimum diameter . 14-5 mm. 12 12 12-5 9 



There is a complete series of specimens from the maximum size, the 

 measurement of which is given in the first column to specimens less 

 than 1 mm. in diameter. The collection would be of great value to 

 any one willing to undertake a systematic study of the variations of 

 the species. 



The species was also obtained by the Caudan, and is common in deep 

 and occasionally found in shallow water in the Mediterranean Sea 

 (de Lacaze Duthiers). 



Desmopliyllum cristagalli, Milne Edwards and Haime. 

 Besmophyllum i^igens, Moseley, Challenger Reports, vol. ii. 1881, p. 160. 

 Station VIL Lat. N. 47° 36'. Long. W. 7° 31'. m fathoms. 



There are four specimens of this species in the collection. The 

 name D. ingens was given to some " gigantic " specimens obtained by 

 the Challenger in 345 fathoms in the fiords of Patagonia. I am 

 inclined to agree with Eoule that these specimens cannot be separated 

 from the older species D. cristagalli. 



The following measurements may be of some interest : — 



Greatest Shortest 



Extreme diameter of diameter of 



length. the calyx. the calyx. » 



Largest 67«r//n?^rr specimen . 135 ... 82 ... 50 



Largest //^wi'/t'T/ specimen . . 100 ... 37 ... 25 



Huxley specimens 2 and 3 . 75 ... 33 ... 25 



^w^Zey specimen 4 , . .55 ... 22 ... 17 



