328 PROFESSOR P. M. DUNCAN ON THE 
costulate, and that over the rest of the corallum granular and without any epitheca. 
The calices increase by fissiparity, and form occasionally short series. Septa numerous, 
and not very exsert. Dissepiments common. 
SoLENOSMILIA VARIABILIS, Duncan. (Plate XLII. figs. 11-18.) 
The primary corallites are not much larger than the others. Wall usually granular, 
but shining to the naked eye, and rarely costulate throughout. Terminal calices 
bifurcate, and usually separated by costulate tissue. Fossa very deep. The columella 
is formed of laminz and the paliform ends of the septa, and is very deeply situated. 
Septa barely exsert, granular laterally, unequal, long, and curved. 
Most of the septa terminate at the columella in paliform prolongations. The septal 
number is very variable. There may be three complete cycles in six systems, four 
cycles in two systems, and three in the others; fifty-eight septa may be placed irre- 
gularly, so that the septal number varies from that characteristic of three cycles to 
four cycles, with members of the fifth. 
The shape of the calices is very variable. 
The dissepiments occur in some corallites, and not in others.~ 
The costz usually terminate high up. 
Height of corallum 8 to 4 inches; length of corallites 745 to 79 inch; length of 
calices ;8; to 7°; inch; breadth of calices 75 to 325 inch. 
Variation.—The amount of bud-variation is extraordinary; and some of the calices 
are exceedingly like stunted specimens of Desmophyllum. The bud of one specimen 
was decidedly costulate throughout. 
The corallum is fragile-looking but is strong; for the wall is thick. Often there is 
a faint bluish tinge in the calices and central hard parts. 
In dredging 17, 1095 fathoms, abundant ; in dredging 32, 651 fathoms, one specimen, 
which was lighter than those of No. 17, and tinged blue. (2nd expedition.) 
Section STYLINACEH INDEPENDENTES. 
Genus LoPHoneELta. 
LoPHOHELIA PROLIFERA, Pallas, sp., 1766. (Plate XLIV. figs. 7-11.) 
MM. Milne-Edwards and Jules Haime' distinguish the genus and species as follows :— 
The corallum is dendroid, and its form results from an irregular alternate and sub- 
terminal (submarginal) gemmation. 
The calices have their margins everted oftentimes and lamellar; and their central 
cavity is very deep. The septa are entire, exsert, and meet internally at the bottom of 
the visceral chamber by their inner margins, and without the existence of a columella 
and pali. No true coenenchyma exists. 
1 Hist. Nat. des Corall. vol. ii. p. 116. 
