4 



alternate branches some of which bear branchlets of the third order. The other main branch 

 is straio-hter than the first, gives off branchlets from one side only of its proximal part and is 

 pinnately branched distally. One of the proximal branchlets bears a regularly spaced row of 

 slender unilateral branchlets resembling those of Ctcnocella. The ultimate branchlets are all 

 long, slender, round and usually erect. They reach a length of 17 cm. and are about 1.5 mm. 

 in diameter. The calyces are entirely included, being indicated by mere tumidities on the surfaces 

 of the branches and by their openings. They are lacking on the main stem and proximal parts 

 of the larger branches and are mostly lateral on the smaller branches, but sometimes on all 

 sides of the twig terminations. 



The individual calyces are so entirely included that they do not admit of description or 

 measurement. Their mouths are indicated by oval openings such as are found in many Plexaurids, 

 and often approach the form of linear slits about 5 mm. in length. Their margins form a 

 slightly elevated rim with scarcely any evidence of lobes. The polyps are deeply retracted 

 within the coenenchyma, where they take the form of flattened discs with an oval outline and 

 with their tentacles armed with longitudinally disposed .spindles. 



A cross section of the stem shows a thin coenenchyma and large water-vascular canals 

 on all sides of the flattened horny axis. 



Spicules. These are nearly all double spindles or girdled spindles, more slender than 

 usual and often curved. They are surrounded by symmetrical whorls of Verrucae, the two whorls 

 which bound the girdle being more conspicuous than the others, which diminish gradually in 

 size towards the ends of the spindle. The spicules of this species are remarkably uniform in 

 character, differing mainly in size, due probably to relative age. 



Color. Colony white, axis black proximally, lightening distally. 



Genus Leptogorgia Milne Edwards (emended by Verrill). 



Leptogorgia (in part) Milne Edwards et Haime. Histoire naturelle des Coralliaires, I, 1857, P- ^^3- 



Gorgonia (in part) Kolliker. Icones Histiologicje, II, 1865, p. 139. 



Leptogorgia Verrill. Transactions Connecticut Academy of Arts and Science, I, 2, 1867 — 71, 



P- 387- 

 Leptogorgia Verrill. American Journal of Arts and Science, XLVII, 1869, p. 419. 

 Leptogorgia Studer. Monatsbericht der Königl. Akad. der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, 1878, p. 654. 

 Leptogorgia Wright and Studer. Challenger Reports, the Alcyonaria, 1889, p. 151. 

 Gorgonia (in part) Hickson. Alcyonaria and Hydrocorallinae of the Cape of Good Hope, 



1900, p. 81. 

 Leptogorgia Delage et Herouard. Traite des Zoologie concrete, II, 2, 1901, p. 420. 

 Leptogorgia Nutting. Alcyonaria of the Californian Coast, 1909, p. 722. 



The original definition of this genus is as follows : 



"Les especes ä axe non calcifere, dont le ccenenchyme est pelliculaire c'est-a-dire tres- 

 mince, et d'un tissu serre et dont les calyces n'ont pas les bords saillants. Elle se di.stingue 

 done des Gorgones proprement dites, par Tabsence de vermes caliciferes et s'eloigne des 

 Plexaures par la disposition du ccenenchyme, qui, chez ces derniers, est remarquablement epars 

 et d'une texture subereuse". 



