(Antipatliiclee) yrowi the Polar Seas. 83 



their surface is spinous (fig. 2), like that of the stem ; but raised 

 and depressed lines are seen only where they are thickest, 

 which is not always nearest to the base ; the length of the 

 largest main branch is about equal to that of the branch-bearing 

 part of the stem. The secondary branches^ which are only a 

 little thinner than the main branches, and have an average 

 length of about 35 millims. (of course there are many much 

 shorter, and some much longer), spring from the main branches 

 at right angles and at an average distance of 8-12 millims. 

 apart; some are directed upwards, and others downwards, 

 whilst others, again, project more or less obliquely forwards, 

 but none backward. The hinder surface of the coral is, in fact, 

 completely without branches ; all the secondary and tertiary 

 branches are turned more or less towards the same side, 

 namely the anterior side. At certain points where secondary 

 branches have met or crossed each other, an amalgamation 

 has taken place ; but in this there is nothing particularly re- 

 gular, and it therefore appears to me probable that we may 

 find specimens in which no such coalescence has taken place 

 at any point. All the secondary branches are spinous, like 

 the stem and main branches ; and the finer they are, the lighter 

 brown is also their colour. 



As only a single specimen is extant, I have in this short 

 description been unable to separate what is only individual 

 and what may be regarded as characterizing the species. I 

 shall now, however, endeavour to bring together in the form 

 of a diagnosis those peculiarities which, until more material 

 may be before us, may serve to distinguish it from the other 

 known Antipathidge. 



Antipafhes arctica, Liitken. 



Sclerobasis (axis) cornea, nigra vel nigro-fusca, spinosa, arborem 

 humilem, latiorem quam altiorem constituit ; stipes erectus, teres, 

 gracilis, niger, basi Isevis, ceterum spinalis brevissimis, longitudi- 

 naliter seriatis, cum sulciilis minutis alternantibus, asper ; rami 

 (primarii) patentissimi, horizontales fere, bifariam dispositi, 

 iitrinque 10 vel ultra, gracillimi, asperi, colore dilutiore, ramidos 

 (secundarios, tertiarios) similes emittunt, angulos rectos cum 

 ramis (primariis, secundariis) formantes, sursum, deorsum vel 

 antrorsum inclinatos ; rariter coalescunt. Superficies dorsalis vel 

 posterior arboris totius ramulis omnino caret. Altitudo c. 5 pol- 

 lices, latitudo 6| poll. 



In ventre Scymni microcepluilo prope oras Gronlandise septcntrio- 

 nales invcnta. 



