8 



of a dense mass of spicules immersed in a tough matrix of connective tissue. The polyps are 

 completely retractile and the upper surfaces of the tentacles are encrusted with spicules, many 

 of which are transversely placed. 



The axis is hard, calcareous and without corneous layers. 



Spicules. These are double heads and girdled spindles whose surfaces are covered 

 with verrucse which are often in whorls and not so massed together as in Nicella. There are 

 also true symmetrical spindles with pointed ends and regular whorls of verrucae ; and many 

 intergradations between the double heads and girdled spindles, and between the latter and true 

 symmetrical spindles. A few crosses are also seen. 



Color. The colony is yellowish brown in color, ocraceous in places, and also shows 

 areas of grayish brown. The polyps are colorless in alcohol. 



General distribution. The type locality is the Hyalonema ground, off Japan. 

 345 fathoms. 



This specimen is referred with some hesitation to this species. Taking into account the 

 changes in form of the calyces in different stages of contraction it agrees fairly well with the 

 original description. 



2. Gorgonella umbraculum (Ellis and Solander). 



Gorgonia umbraculum Ellis and Solander. Natural History of Zoophytes, 1787, p. 80. 

 Gorgonia umbraculum Lamouroux. Exposition Methodique, 1821, p. 34. 

 Rhipidigorgia umbraculum Valenciennes. Comptes rendus, Acad. Sci., Paris, 1855, p. 13. 

 Rhipidigorgia umbraculum Milne Edwards et Haime. Hist. nat. des Coralliaires, 1857, p. 178. 

 Umbracella umbraculum Gray. Proc. Zool. Society of London, 1857, p. 288. 

 Gorgonella umbraculum Verrill. Bull. Museum of Comp. Zool., 1864, p. 37. 

 Gorgonella umbraculum Studer. Alcyonarien aus der Sammlung des Naturhistorischen Museums 

 in Liibeck, 1894, p. 118. 



Stat. 204. 42o'S., i2258'E. 75 to 94 meters. 



Colony strictly flabellate and reticulate, 15 cm. in height and with a spread of 8.2 cm. 

 Main stem 2.7 cm. long and 2.8 mm. in diameter. At its distal end it breaks up into three 

 branches, one of which forms nearly the whole of the specimen. This branch is fairly symme- 

 trical in itself. Considering it as a colony its main stem is 14 mm. long and 2.6 mm. in 

 diameter, round in section and devoid of calyces. It can be traced for 4.4 cm. before it breaks 

 up and is dissipated in the general network of the colony. It gives off alternate branches 

 which are short or feebly branched, except the upper one which curves upward and outward 

 nearly to the top of the colony, giving off numerous lateral twigs which go to form the 

 reticulate mass. The anastomoses are quite numerous. The ultimate branchlets are very short, 

 and about 3.6 mm. apart, and very slender, being about i mm. in diameter. One side of the 

 branched colony is devoid of calyces. The latter are in two alternating rows, but are not 

 strictly lateral being more on the side opposite the nude face, and, if that be regarded as 

 anterior, being antero-lateral in position. 



