96 CHAS. W. HARGITT. 



distribution. Can it be possible that this species is a recent comer 

 into this region, or has it become more prolific and abundant of 

 recent years, or was its earlier presence simply overlooked by 

 naturalists? So far as I know these queries must remain such, 

 at least for the present. In this connection I desire to note the 

 variable character of the species when found in deeper waters. 

 As known in shallower habitats it is usually stout, with dense 

 stems much fascicled and profusely branching ; while from depths 

 of fifteen or more fathoms it is often more slender, stems weak, 

 colony less massive and complex, and with gonads of variable 

 colors and characters, the whole resembling somewhat E. dispar. 



Eudendrium dispar. — This species most resembles the pre- 

 ceding in its general size and aspects of any of-the series. While 

 not to be ranked as especially rare, it is yet far from common. 

 This may be due, in part at least, to the fact that its habitat is 

 usually the deeper waters, ten to thirty fathoms, hence only 

 available by means of the dredge. But this does not fully explain 

 its comparative rarity, for the writer has collected by all known 

 means for fifteen years throughout the region, and this species has 

 not been taken on an average once per year during this period. 

 It may therefore be ranked at present as rather rare. 



In this note it is desired to call attention to the fact of the con- 

 siderable variation in morphological characters shown by the 

 species as taken from varying depths and other environmental 

 differences of habitat. Agassiz in the original description of the 

 species {Cont. Nat. Hist., Vol. IV., p. 286), states that the branches 

 and pedicels are extensively annulated. Later students have gen- 

 erally followed Agassiz in this respect. As a rule such is true 

 in a majority of cases, but it should be pointed out that specimens 

 are found in which there is considerable variation, the annulation 

 resembling much more nearly that of E. ramosiim. Again other 

 specimens will be found in which the annulation extends to the 

 entire stem, as well as to the branches and pedicels. The most 

 distinctive difference, and most constant, is to be found in the char- 

 acter and position of the gonophores. These I have found to be 

 very constant, and agree quite closely with the figures of Agassiz. 



In distribution the species seems to be more common in Buz- 



