REPORT ON THE ALCYONARIA. 161 



3-5 mm. to one of 2 mm. Tlie polyps are arranged in spirals around the stem, leaving 

 a very narrow median groove. 



A second example from Banda, is 225 mm. in length, being evidently a portion 

 of a terminal branch ; it is furnished with one short branch. In this specimen the median 

 groove is better marked. The coenenchyma is thick. The polyps are only partially 

 retractile. The spicules measure : — the spindles, which are of a salmon colour, 0"r2-0"04 ; 

 0-08-0-02 ; the double clubs, sherry coloured, Q-l-O-OG ; 0-06-0-04; the needles 0-06-0-2. 



Habitat. — Torres Strait and Banda Island. 



Genus Gorgonella {pars), Valenciennes. 



Gorgonella, Valenciennes, Comptes rendus, t. xli. p. 1 4. 



,, Milne-Edwards, Hist. Nat. des Coralliaires, t. i. p. 183, 1857. 



„ Val. {ex parte), Kolliker, Icones Histiologicse, Abtb. ii. p. .39 



Gorgonella orientalis, n. sp. (PI. XXXIV. fig. 10). 



A large branch, with many detached fragments occurs in the collection from Japan. 

 The whole series of pieces evidently formed portions of an extensive colony. It may be 

 described as follows : — 



Colony much branched ; the largest branch (in the collection) is about 275 mm. in 

 length ; from it as a main branch both large and small branchlets arise, they are given off 

 from either side of the main branch, and in the one plane. The basal diameter of this 

 branch is 5 '5 mm., it then gradually tapers to a twig of not quite 1 mm. in diameter. One 

 of the branches arising from it has a basal diameter at its origin of 4 mm.; it extends to a 

 length of 150 mm. The entire colony in all probability assumed a fan-shape. There is 

 an occasional anastomosis between the branches of the third series (regarding the l)ranch 

 described as a main stem). 



The axis of this branch is horny, with a central calcareous core ; but the smaller twigs 

 and branches are extremely brittle. The polyps are numerous, occurring quite irregularly 

 over the surface of the larger branches ; but on the smallest twigs they seem to be 

 arranged in three rows. Two opposite polyps end the twigs, giving a knob-like appear- 

 ance to the terminations. The polyps are prominent, with retractile tentacles, and arc 

 themselves nearly retractile, within almost flat verrucas ; this seems to be more the case 

 on the older portions of the stem ; on the younger portions the verrucas are more elevated. 

 The verrucaj have a broad diameter of 1 mm., and when closed a maximum height of the 

 same. When quite withdrawn the eight rays on the summit of the verrucEe alone mark 

 out their existence ; but this appearance seems often wanting. 



The coenenchyma is moderately thick, granular, with the double club-shaped spicules 

 of a brownish-yellow hue ; beneath these there is a layer of smaller spicules, chiefly spiny 



(ZOOL. CHATX. EXP. — PAUT LXIV. — 1888.) SsS 21 



