REPORT ON THE ALCYONAEIA. Hx 



6. EwpJexaura, Verrill, Proc. Essex Inst., vol. vi. p. 74, 1869. 



This genus resembles Plexaurella, and has large polyp.s. The polyps arc numerous 

 and completely retractile. The ccenenchyma is dense, granular. The spicules are short, 

 blunt warty spindles of rather small size, and also small simple double-spindles and a 

 few minute irregular crosses. 



7. Psammogorgia,NQvn\\, Amer. Journ. Sci. and Arts, vol. xlv. p. 413, 1868; Trans. 

 Connect. Acad., toI. i. p. 414, 18G9. 



The colony is upright and branched, with a horny axis ; the ccenenchyma is moderately 

 thick; the surface is finely granular with small rough spicules. The polyp calyces are 

 scattered over the surface, sometimes level with it, more usually projecting in the form 

 of roundish warts. The polyps contain large attenuated warty spindles which extend to 

 the base of the tentacles. The spicules of the ccenenchyma are short, thick, 8])iny and 

 warty spindles and also warty clubs. 



8. Eunicella, Verrill, Amer. Journ. Sci. and Arts, vol. xlviii. p. 425, 1869. 



The colony is upright, simple or branched ; the polyj) calyces are in the form of 

 projecting warts. The ccenenchyma is thin or moderately thick, with small wartj"^ 

 double spindles, but having also a layer of peculiar club-shaped spicules, which form a 

 continuous external layer, the spicules being at right angles to the axis. 



9. Platygorgia, Studer, Archiv f. Naturgesch., Jahrg. liii. Bd. i. p. 60. 



MuriteUa, Gray {ex parte), Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist, ser. 4, vol. v. p. 405. 



The colony is upright and branched ; the branches and the horny axis are flattened 

 in the plane of ramification. The polyp calyces are sunk into the ccenenchyma, and 

 do not project. There is a cortical layer of small clubs with terminal expansions, and 

 under these are thick warty spindles. This genus is formed to include Gorgonia 

 albicans, KoUiker, Gorgonia j)alma, var. alba, Esper. The retracted polyps and the 

 flattened branches present an appearance so difl'erent from that of the type species of 

 Eunicella, that a generic separation appears to be warranted. The spicules are also 

 characteristic, since the clulis are here as long as the spindles. MuriteUa, Gray, 

 included Gorgonia albicans, \\()\\\kcv = Gorgonia palma, Pallas, and Gorgonia fucosa, 

 \^alenciennes. 



