Narrative of Bahama Expedition. i75 



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 Coelenterates, with the exception of the hydroids, col- 

 lected by us in this region, have not as vet received more than 

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

 richly represented in the collection, and contains many strik- 

 ing forms not ordinarily found in the museums of educational 

 institutions. 



Among the Alcyonaria perhaps the most common form is a 

 beautiful species which I take to be a Calig-orgi'a perhaps C. 

 gTarilis M. Edw. Some specimens attain a height of two feet. 

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

 alternate pinna? which may again divide in the same plane, 

 formino- a ijraceful flabellate structure. The calicles are 

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

 inward at their summits and covered with beautifully marked 

 scales. The color of the colony is a buffy 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 Phitycaiihis. Wright. It 

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

 late in shape. The branching is very irregular, and the 

 branches occasionally 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 \'erruci- 

 form calicles. This species is a very brilliantly colored one, 

 and came from our deeper dredgings in considerable abund- 

 ance. 



Some very beautiful specimens of his were taken from a 

 depth of about one hundred and twenty fathoms. This coral 

 is peculiar in having a jointed appearance, owing to ivor}'- 

 white joints composed of limestone, alternating with shorter 

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

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

 exceedingly slender and erect, giving an appearance of unu- 



