92 CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR KNOWLEDGE OF ANTIPATHARIAN CORALS. 



The stems taper quite gradually, and are fairly flexible near the tip, though rather 

 brittle at their base. Where a branch is given ofi" from a stem it is nearly always given 

 off a short distance only from the base, and is ordinarily set at a very wide angle. In 

 a few cases the stems have, during growth, been diverted from their line of growth, and 

 an angle or elbow is thus produced, or there is a more or less irregular curve in the 

 course of the stem. The stems vary in length and thickness, and those that are thicker 

 and longer appear to be older than those which are thinner and shorter. 



Where the sclerenchyraa is well preserved it has the appearance of being transversely 

 striated, as its dark yellow colour is relieved by narrower and lighter bands; it is 

 quite rough to the touch owing to the shagreen-like spinulation of its horny axis ; the 

 spines on this axis are blunt and very numerous (Plate XII. fig. 3). 



There are about 45 of these stems, the longest of which are about 3 feet 3 inches 

 (that is, almost exactly one metre) long ; the shortest are about 15 inches, or rather 

 less than 40 centim. long. 



Hab. Mauritius. 



It is to be hoped that the publication of this notice will lead to a fuller knowledge 

 of this interesting form ; for the present we must be content to know of its existence, 

 but the attention of collectors should be called to it and every effort made to obtain 

 examples preserved in spirit ; from such specimens alone can we get the information 

 which will enable us to assign a satisfactory systematic position to it, and justify us in 

 speculating as to its origin and affinities. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. 



PLATE XI. 



Gerardia savalia ; the size of the specimen figured may be estimated by the foot 

 measure placed at the side of the Plate. The figure is a tracing of a photograph 

 of the object, so that the relative proportions of the branches may be relied on. 



PLATE XII. 



\_Antipathes\ rolillardi. 



1. View of the skeleton of the whole colony, showing its general form, the rela- 

 tions of its stems, and the mode of branching; ^ nat. size. 

 2% 2''. Branches at base ; nat. size. 

 3. Surface of stem, magnified four times, to show the character of its spinulation. 



