146 . PERCY SLADEN TEUST EXPEDITION. 



narrow isosceles incurved triangles following the bases of the tentacles. In some cases 

 there is a slight projection of eight marginal spicules, but in other polyps there is no 

 projection. There is no hint of an operculum in the strict sense. The tentacles are in 

 most cases completely inturued into the gullet, and lie bent like fish-hooks, the tips 

 being turned externally to the proximal parts. There are only about 10 pairs of 

 jnnnules, and no spicules were found on the tentacles except at the very base. 

 Numerous ova were seen in many of the polyps. 



The golden-brown axis seems to be altogether horny ; it shows on the main stem 

 numerous irregular longitudinal grooves : in the branches it becomes smooth and soft. 



The spicules are all spindles, slender and curved, and sparsely tuberculate. The 

 following measurements were taken of length and breadth in millimetres : — 0'65 X 005, 

 0-54 X 0-035, 0-51 X 0-05, OSS X 0035. 



Localities. Seychelles (F 4), 39 fms. ; Salomon, 60-120 fms. ; Providence, 

 60-120 fms., (D 4) 50-78 fms. ; Amirante (E lOj, 22-85 fms. 



Genus ANTHOGORGIA. 

 14. Authogorgia sp. 



In the collection there are three specimens of an undoubted Antliogorgia, which is 

 possibly identical with A. dioaricata, Verrill, recorded from Hong Kong, and from 

 Mauritius {Studer, 1878). As Verrill's description (Proc. Essex Instit. iv. (1866) p. 188, 

 pi. v.j is not accessible to us, we are unable to refer our specimen definitely to his 

 species. A full description is therefore given. 



The colony is branched profusely in one plane, and reaches a height of 15 cm. and a 

 breadth of 12 cm. The main stem is short and bent to one side ; it soon loses itself in 

 large branches, which shoot olf from it in a more or less vertical direction. The main 

 stem is about 7 mm. in diameter and the terminal twigs about 2 mm. in diameter. The 

 axis is horny and of a light brown colour. The somewhat thin coenenchyma is crowded 

 with large spindles closely but irregularly arranged. The verrucas are tubular and 

 stand out more or less at right angles to the stem and branches. They occur chiefly 

 along the sides of the branches in an irregular single or double series. A number occur, 

 however, on the face of the branches, and a few on the back. They are 2-3 mm. in 

 height and 1-1'5 mm. in breadth, and are, on the average, 2 mm. distant from one 

 another. 



The verrucse are covered with the same warty spindles that occur in the coenenchyma, 

 and they lie in a somewhat irregular fashion, though for the most part transversely. 

 The verruca margin shows eight triangular lobes, each of which is supported by five or 

 six spindles disposed in the usual way to form " points." Inside the margin the tentacles 

 of the polyp are seen pointing horizontally inwards. These are armed on their aboral 

 surface by a number of slender longitudinally disposed spindles, of a yellow colour. 



The general colour of the coenenchyma and verrucas is orange-red or reddish-brown. 

 A small specimen (6) occurs with bright orange coenenchyma, and distant verrucas 

 growing yellow towards the tij). 



