84 Transactions of the n^l^^'^lT^t 



an opportunity of examining) all possess modifications of the same 

 typical sqnamose spicula witli the exception of P. myura. The 

 polypary in this species is described as assuming the form of a 

 simple rod, and having the cahces disposed in two rows on each 

 side of a median furrow ; this external contour of the polypary 

 corresponds to what obtains in the genus Juncella and its allies, and 

 the spicula harmonizing exactly with the type-form peculiar to that 

 genus, it seems highly probable that it ought to be incorporated in it. 

 Kollikcr does not refer to either Primnoa jjlumatiUs or P. gracilis 

 of Milne Edwards, but testifies to the new species P. regularis of 

 Duchassiang and Michelotti possessing the type spicula of the 

 genus. 



Muricca. — Polypary branching ; sclerobasic axis horny ; scle- 

 renchyma armed with coarse echinate spicula ; cahces approximate, 

 very prominent, echinate. The dominant form of sj)icula in this 

 genus is coarse echinate unsymmetrical fusiform, having spines or 

 tubercles developed to a much greater extent on one side than on 

 the other (Plate XIjI., Figs. 13-15). In addition, more evenly 

 tuberculate and echinate spicula of smaller size are abundantly re- 

 presented. 



Gorgonia jplantaginea of Lamarck is referred by Milne Edwards 

 to the genus Eunicea ; the spicula prepared from Valenciennes 

 types are, however, essentially characteristic of what obtains in 

 Muricea, and the examination of specimens of the polyparies in the 

 British Museum and that of the Royal College of Surgeons justifies 

 me in referring the species without hesitation to the last-named 

 genus. The spicula of Gorgonla sectilis, Val., also follow the 

 Muricean type. 



KoUiker annexes to this genus Muricea elegans, Duch. et Mich., 

 and M. horrida, Mobius. 



Muricea 2)Iacomus, M. Edw. et Val, (non Esp.), is described by 

 Milne Edwards as possessing a general form closely resembling that 

 of Gorgonia verrucosa. Spicula prepared from the type specimens in 

 the Paris Museum exactly agree with the form prevalent in the last- 

 named genus, and to which it should doubtlessly be referred. 



Echinogorgia, Klk. — The two species Gorgonia cerea andfur- 

 furacea of Esper, referred with doubt to the genus Muricea by 

 Milne Edwards, together with G. Sasappo (RJdj). stricta, M. Edw.), 

 its variety reticulata, and G. imihratica of the same author, have 

 been formed into a new genus by KoUiker, to which he has given 

 the name of Echinogorgia. 



This genus appears to be a very natural one, and all its members 

 share in common, spicula of a peculiar form ; these may be described 

 as consisting of a laminate or more or less expanded base surmounted 

 by a coronet of variously modified proliferous prolongations (Plate 

 XLL, Figs. 18, 20, 22). 



