REPORT ON THE ALCYONARIA. 265 



side of the stem polyp, single axial polyps of the second order arise, in a straight 

 direction, for 24 to 45 mm. Here again, in the deeper portions, which have a diameter 

 of 4 mm., the spicules form a tube-like axis, which soon becomes loose above, and 

 finally terminates in a sheath of loosely united spicules. Inside the axial tubes, mesenteric 

 folds are still everywhere to be seen. The lateral poljrps, which spring from the canal- 

 containing sheath surrounding the axial tube, exhibit a retractile portion and a tubular 

 calyx. The latter has thick walls, is smooth, arises straight from the stem pol)^, and 

 is appressed to the ascending axial polyps on the stem portion. The mouth is directed 

 upwards. The diameter is about 1 mm. 



The poljrps arise in spirals, the fresh buds appearing slightly below the oral region of 

 the calyx on the axial polyps. 



Internally the axial polyps exhibit exactly the structure of the other Telesto species. 

 Round the endoderm of the gastral cavity, there lies a structureless zone of mesoderm. 

 This exhibits a thickening at the origin of each mesenteric fold, and upon this is a layer 

 filled with spicules, which in the older portions are cemented by a horny substance into a 

 compact tube. Outside this, there is the canalicular layer, from the endodermic tubes of 

 which the lateral polyps or the axial polyps of the second order arise. 



The spicules in the axial polyps are elongated spindles with strong lateral spines, 

 often provided with lateral branched processes, or forked at one extremity. In the axial 

 portion the teeth and processes of the spicules interlock with one another so as to 

 establish a firm union. The dimensions of these spicules in length and breadth are 

 respectively as follows— O'lS to 0-04, 0*2 to 0-025, 012 to 0-03 mm.; the forked ends 

 diverge for 0-07 mm."; 0-26 to 0-003 mm. 



The colour of the colony as preserved in spirit is grey to yellowish. The whole stem, 

 with the exception of the terminal branches, is overgrown by a parasitic sponge. 



Habitat. — Torres Strait ; depth, 3 to 1 1 fathoms. 



Fiji Islands, Dana. 



Genus Coelogorgia, Milne-Edwards. 



Coelogorgia, Milne-Edwards, Hist. Nat. des Coralliaires, t. i. p. 191. 



Although no representative of this remarkable genus occurred in the Challenger 

 collection, we may briefly allude to the form and to its relations with the Cornularidae. 

 Hitherto but little has been known of the type beyond the brief description given by 

 Milne-Edwards. Even its systematic position has been somewhat dubious. The material 

 on which our notice is based was supplied through the kindness of Dr. C. Keller, who 

 collected Ccelogorgia jJcdviosa, Val., on the coast of Madagascar. The specimens were 

 weU preserved in spirit, and were compared with the dried specimen preserved in the 

 collection of the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. The latter was collected by M. Rousseau 



(ZOOL. CDALL. EXP.— PAUT LXIV. — 1889.) Ss8 34 



