21 



proximal part passing around to the right of the midline of the polypiferous surface of the 

 branch. The stay has a smooth surface except at the ends, where it bears numerous nodules, 

 resembling that of the calcareous internodes, and showing ivory white against the darker color 

 of the polyp. It gradually narrows to a point at the proximal end, but is broadened into a 

 shape resembling a shoe-horn at the distal end, the concavity of the "shoe-horn" fitting the 

 curve of the calyx margin to which it is applied. The stay is applied to the entire anterior face 

 of the calyx, ending flush with the margin, and when it is removed it leaves a bare, impressed, 

 band-like space on the abaxial wall, reaching from the base of the calyx to the marginal row 

 of scales which, however, it does not invade. The stay is 1.5 mm. in length, measured with 

 dividers, but would be much longer if measured around the curves. 



The calyx walls are covered with minutely ctenate scales greatly resembling those found 

 in several genera of Primnoidte, e.g. Plumarella or Caligorgia. These scales are arranged in 

 seven or eight vertical rows, except that there is but one scale (the marginal) to each of the 

 adxaxial rows, and there are about eight scales to each abaxial row. The margin is even, 

 without evident lobes, teeth or spines. 



The operculum consists of eight segments, each segment consisting of a triangular scale-like 

 spicule neatly fitted to the dorsal surface of a tentacle and with its surface covered with fine 

 rounded nodules. At first view it looks as if each flap is made up of a fine mosaic of many 

 minute plates; but, when separated from the tentacle, it is seen to be a single large thin plate or 

 scale. The ccenenchyma of the branch is thin and contains a layer of longitudinally placed, thin, 

 scale-like spicules which are spindle-shaped in profile, but much flattened. They are ornamented 

 with small, very definite, rounded knobs or points thickly and rather evenly emplanted over the 

 surface. Intermingled with these are clear bar-like and needle-like forms. 



About midway between adjacent polyps and on the polypiferous face of the stem or 

 branch are low rounded swellings which contain ova, as in the last species. This is a very 

 exceptional arrangement among the Gorgonacea. 



The axis is quite smooth, hard and white. The specimen was so small that it seemed 

 inadvisable to dissect it to determine whether it is hollow or not. A small fragment of a twig 

 termination shows that the axis does not extend to the end of the branch or stem, although 

 this terminal part bears polyps and the strange bracket-like supports for the calyces apparently 

 as well developed as on the proximal parts. 



Spicules. These have been already described, and are of several kinds. I st . The small 

 ctenate scales of the calyx walls. 2 nd . The flattened, scale-like spindles of the ccenenchyma. 

 3 rd . The large, thin, triangular plates of the operculum. 4 th . The occasional bar-like or rod-like 

 forms in the ccenenchyma, and 5 th . The remarkable curved stays or supports on the abaxial 

 faces of the calyces. 



Color. The fragment is almost white, with the calyces and ovigerous swellings a 

 medium brown. 



