54 Natural History Bulletin. 



genus Dcsiii'jscYp/iii-s were found growing on the sea weed. 

 An interesting species of Thiiiaria was secured in abundance. 

 Its gonangia are bottle-shaped with small necks and everted 

 margins. These were among the largest reproductive cali- 

 cles which \\e encountered. Aglaoj)henia mimita Fewkes was 

 found with the corbula which very much resembles those of 

 . [oiaophciiia pcrforala Allman. 



It was at this time also that our whole part\- enjoyed the 

 exceedingly rare privilege of seeing the zooids of Millepora 

 fullv expanded. A fragment of this h\-drocoralline. having 

 been brought up by the dredge, was placed in a jar of sea-water, 

 without an}- particular care being taken to avoid exposure to 

 the air or other shock. Knowing the difficulty with which the 

 zooids are said to be induced to expand, we were not expect- 

 ing to be thus highly favored, when a cursor}- examination of 

 the specimen showed a considerable portion of its surface to 

 be covered with what appeared to be fine white down. x\n 

 examination with the lens disclosed the fact that both the 

 gastrozoids and dactylozoids were fully and beautifullv ex- 

 panded, and thev remained so for nearly an hour. We did 

 not dare to disturb the specimen bv transferring it to another 

 vessel for the purpose of placing it where it could be viewed 

 with the compound microscope. The characteristic features, 

 however, of the two kinds of zooids could be ^•erv well seen 

 with a Coddington lens, and thev appeared to correspond 

 closel}- with the figures in Agassiz' ■• Contributions to the 

 Natural History of the United States."' Volume iii. Plate x\'. 



On another occasion, while at the Drv Tortugas. we were 

 favored with a good view of expanded J/illcpora. although the 

 expansion was not so complete as at the time under considera- 

 tion. These Millepora are known througliout the English- 

 speaking regions of the West Indies and Florida Keys as 

 '■^pepper coral.''' a name exceedingly appropriate in view of 

 the great stinging powers possessed by the animals. 



At night, while crossing the Banks, we enjo^"ed the most 

 brilliant exhibition of phosphorescence that occurred during 

 the cruise. Ever}- wave was flashing with light, and every 



