Narrative ok Bahama K.\i'i-:i)ition. 175 



This is a small form with two genital openings and sparse 

 spines. It has also been found near the Azores. We found 

 it in depths from one hundred and ten to two hundred fathoms. 



The Ca'lenterates. with the exception of the hydroids, col- 

 lected by us in this region, ha\e not as ^■et received more than 

 passing attention. It is evident, however, that the group is 

 richh' represented in the collection, and contains many strik- 

 ing forms not ordinarily found in the museums of educational 

 institutions. 



Among the Alcvonaria perhaps the most common form is a 

 beautiful species which I take to be a Cal/ovrg'/'a perhaps C. 

 gTaci/is M. Edw. Some specimens attain a height of two feet. 

 They branch in a palmate manner, the main stem giving off 

 alternate pinnae which mav again divide in the same plane, 

 forming a graceful Habellate structure. The calicles are 

 arranged in whorls of three to seven or eight, and are bent 

 inward at their summits and covered \\ ith beautifully marked 

 scales. The color of the colonv is a buflA" light yellow, but 

 ■when dried it is pure white and exceedingly brittle. The little 

 whorls of calicles appear like small white beads strung at reg- 

 ular intervals along the branches. Another common gor- 

 gonian seems to belong to the genus Platycaiiliis Wright. It 

 is much smaller than the last, of a bright red color, and flabel- 

 late in shape. The branching is ver\- irregular, and the 

 branches occasionalh- anastomose. The calicles are on the 

 sides of the branches, leaving the front and back bare. The 

 polyps are protected with spicules and retract into verruci- 

 form calicles. l^his species is a very brilliantlv colored one, 

 and came from (jur deeper dredgings in considerable abund- 

 ance. 



Some very beautiful specimens of his were taken from a 

 depth of about one hundred and twentv fathoms. This coral 

 is peculiar in ha\ing a jointed appearance, owing to i\'or\- 

 white joints composed of limestone, alternating with shorter 

 brown, corneous, or horny joints. The whole colony attains 

 a height of about two feet, and the terminal branches are 

 ^exceedingly slender and erect, giving an appearance of unu- 



