20 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



The spicules of the polyp are large and broad, and overlap each other at the edges, 

 they are continued up the tentacles in two rows. Their form is unsymmetrical. 

 Generally a portion of the finely toothed upper edge projects forwards as a lobe ; the one 

 lateral edge appears truncated, the other rounded oflF. The height to length in mm. 

 reaches 0-32-0 -33 ; 0-1-0-23; 0-12-0-22. 



The ccenenchyma has scales of an oval or irregularly rounded shape, 0' 16-0 '28 ; 

 0-12; 0-1-0-23 mm. 



In the zooids there are little spinulose spicules ; either a small disc-like scale with a 

 spine and serrated edges, or with a blunt process, sometimes bifurcate at the end. 



Disc-like spicules 0"12 mm., spine 0"16 mm. Flat portion of disc 0'2, spine 0'2 mm. 

 Disc 0'14, spine 0'21 mm. The deep layer of spicules consists of small, oval, four- 

 cornered, lancet-shaped, or three-cornered little bodies, 0'12, O'OS, O'l mm. in diameter, 

 which are connected together by toothed edges. 



Habitat. — Station 171, north of the Kermadec Islands ; depth, 600 fathoms ; bottom, 

 hard ground. 



13. Dasygorgia axillaris, n. sp. (PI. IV. fig. 7 ; PL V. fig. 9 ; PL Va. fig. 11). 



The upright little stem is angularly bent at the point of departure of the l)ranches, 

 and gives off branches at right angles, which are placed around the stem in spii-als on 

 three sides. The fourth branch stands in line with the first. The ramification takes 

 place in different planes and proceeds to twigs of the fifth order. The polyps are small, 

 pitcher-shaped, and are placed perpendicularly to their support. The axis is horny, 

 elastic, flexible ; in the stem, yellow, shining, with iridescent surface. Zooids are present 

 on the ccenenchyma in great numbers. The scales of the polyps are relatively large, 

 unsymmetrical, placed transversely to the long axis, iridescent. At the base of each 

 tentacle stand one or two larger scales, whose upper edge projects above the base of the 

 tentacle. The scales of the ccenenchyma are small, irregular, little plates. 



The stem of the larger colony, which is broken oft' immediately above the base, is 

 100 mm. high, its diameter at the lower end reaching 1 mm. The branches first arise at 

 a height of 50 mm., but their points of origin are traceable down to 15 mm. above the 

 base. The branches come off from the stem in three directions, their points of origin 

 form ascending spirals, the fourth branch always comes into line again with the first. 

 At the origin of each branch the stem is angularly bent in the opposite dire(;tion, and 

 the branch forms with it an obtuse angle. Since the Itending takes place according to 

 the three directions in which the branches arise, the axis appears to be spirally twisted. 

 The difference in height between two branches, or the length of a stem internode, is 

 3 mm. The ramification of the branches takes place on the usual principle. The main 

 branch, slightly thinner than the stem, is at first angularly l^ent in the horizontal plane 



