Knowledge of the Aleyonaria. 131 
of the Chinese seas, the type species, P. fruticosa, having 
been taken in the Sooloo Sea, and the only otherspecies, P. laxa, 
at Hong Kong and in Formosa Channel. 
Parisis mauritiensis, sp. nu. 
Corallum flabellate, branching in one or more parallel planes. 
Branching frequent, approximately dichotomous for the first 
three or four divisions, the smaller branches alternately pin- 
nate; branches given off at an angle of 45° (occasionally 
about 60° in small branches). Stem and main branches cylin- 
drical, the subterminal branches with their terminal pinne 
flattened out laterally. The larger branches marked in some 
places by longitudinal strize (the reflex of the longitudinal 
canals) in the dry state. Hard and, soft joints of same length, 
viz. about 3 millim. In the main branches the soft joints are 
somewhat narrower than the hard ones in the dry state (pos- 
sibly owing to shrinkage), producing a somewhat annulated 
appearance in the branch. Cortex compact, smooth, about 
Fig. 1.—Parisis mauritiensis: the second bifurcation from base, nat. size. 
25 millim. in thickness, pure white in dry state. Diameter 
of largest main branch 10 to 11 millim., greatest diameter of 
terminal (flattened) twigs °7 millim. Verruce confined (with 
rare exceptions) to lateral aspects of terminal and subterminal 
branches (occasionally a few on branches of the third degree), 
uniserial, alternate, 1 to 2 millim. apart; truncato-conical 
in shape, projecting somewhat upwards as well as outwards ; 
height about *8 millim., apical diameter °5 millim.; of same 
colour as cortex. Superficial spicules of cortex and verruce 
very various in shape, viz. subglobular, limaciform, or elon- 
gated, with median constriction (Germ. “ bisquitformig ”’) ; 
beset with small pointed low tubercles; maximum diameter 
varying from ‘038 to 0633, smallest diameter gee to 032 
