79. BEBRYCE. 51 



" Coral tree-like, fixed, with a solid central horny flexible axis, and 

 a spongy bark filled with calcareous particles. Polypes scattered, far 

 apart, and not retractile." — Philippi. 



Bebryce, Philippi, Arch, Naturg. 1842, pp. 1, 85, 1. 1. f. 1 ; Milne-Edw. 

 (§• Haiine, Corall. i. p. 187 ; Kdlliker, Ic, Hist. p. 137. 



M. Valenciennes believes it is the axis of a Gorgonia covered with 

 a colony of Sympodium coralloides. Professor Kolliker refers this 

 genus to the family Primnoacea (Ic. Hist. p. 137). 



158. Bebryce mollis. B.M. 



Bebryce mollis, Philippi, Wieg^n. Arch. 1842, p. 33, 1. 1. f. 1 ; Kdlliker, 

 Ic. Hist. p. 137, 1. 18. f. 1, 2, 3. 



Hah. Mediterranean. 



Bark in the dry specimen formed of two layers of spicules, which 

 are very different from those in any other known coral. They are 

 scale-like, with a central contraction, with more or less toothed pro- 

 cesses, which project outwards from the middle of its length. The 

 large scales have smaller and the narrow scales stronger median pro- 

 minences, which are conical and branched at the tips (sec KoUiker, 

 1. 17. f. 2, 3). The spicules of the polype are warty. 



