46 ANTIPATHES HUMILI& 



Suborder ANTIPATIIRAIA .-Edw. & H. 

 Antipathes < Cirrhipatb.es ) Desbonnii Duch. & Mica 



Our specimens are 50 to -35 cm. long, but not much more than 1 mm. in 

 diameter at the base ; densely covered with small spines. The polyps are 

 of the type with long tentacles, are confined to one side of the stem, and seem 

 to be alternately large and small. 



Barbados, 100 fathoms. 



Antipathes (Arachnopathes) columnaris Duchass. 

 PI IX. fig. 8. 



The singular growth of this species deserves a few words in addition to 

 Dr. Duehassaing's description. Tbe stem is simple, the branchlets in verticils 

 close together, themselves verticillate and occasionally biverticillate, coalescing 

 occasionally. Branchlets spinous, not nodose, the spines triangular and com- 

 pressed, small. The central reticulate column mentioned by Duchassaing is 

 hollow, and the habitation of an annelid which appears to compel the coral- 

 lum to form an abnormal growth of that shape. We see a similar action of 

 parasitic annelids in some true corals, such as Lophohelia. Stylaster, Allopora, 

 and others. Every one of the specimens dredged was affected in that way. 

 the annelid being still in place in most cases. The total height is to 10cm. 

 The polyps could not be observed. 



Barbados, 100 fathoms. 



Antipathes humilis Pourt. 



/'/. IX fig. g. 



A variety of this species was dredged off Barbados. It differs from the 

 typical form from Cuba by it- inure Bimple and regular mode of branching. 

 The -hoit Btein throws off on each side, at different heights, a Bimple branch 

 forming a -hmt curve and then growing parallel to the main stem. From 

 ih<> base of that branch nnother Bets off in the Bame manner and in the Bame 



plane, and so mi. BO that the whole resembles certain l'iuit-tiee< trained on a 



wall. The Cuba specimens branch according to the some plan, but do not 



adhere to it BO i • • _r 1 1 1 . 1 1 1 \ . 



