34 STTLASTER. 



most aberrant genus of the family. The genus Endohelia is the only 

 one of which I have not seen a representative. From tlie description 

 it seems to be scarcely different from Cryptohelia, except in the extent 

 of the lip-like appendage. 



To recapitulate, the characters of the family can be expressed as 

 follows : — 



Corallum generally branching, frequently colored, multiplying by 

 gemmation. Calicles small and deep, septa all equal, united by their 

 inner edges, and sometimes containing, in the closed interseptal 

 chamber, rudimentary septa of a higher order; in some genera the 

 septa are merged in the csenenchyma and the interseptal chambers 

 are at some distance from the calicle. Columella styliform or globular, 

 spongy, and hirsute. Csenenchyma abundant, finely porous, and per- 

 meated by fine canals. 



! calicles regular . . . Stt/Iastt r. 

 calicles labiate . . . Lryplo/iclia. 

 | witu distinct septa -; " 



( gemmation irregular AUopora. 



St}lasterida;.{ f calicles confluent on 



septa obliterated, interseptal chambers edge of corallum . . Dislichopora. 



distant from fossa. "S 



calicles labiate . . . Lepidopora. 



[_ calicles without lip . Errina. 



STYLASTER Gray. 



Stylaster erubescens Poui:t. 



Sli/laster erubescens Pourt. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., No. '■ 



Plate IV., figs. 10 and 11. 



Branching densely, flabellate, not coalescing, rising from a broad 

 encrusting expansion ; younger branchlets slender, with rather close- 

 set alternate calicles ; older branches much thickened, with calicles 

 in irregular rows on one surface, interspersed witli ampulla?. 

 Caenenchyma smooth. Calicles slightly prominent. 1.2 to 1.5 mm. 

 in diameter, deep. Septa nine to twelve, most frequently eleven, 

 equal, shaped like folds of the wall, joined with each other at a 

 little distance below the edge of the calicle, thus forming pit-like 

 interseptal chambers. Tertiary (?) rudimentary septa in the shape 

 of a hairy fringe, enclosed in these interseptal chambers. Columella 

 deeply sunk, rounded, and hirsute. Color white, with a delicate pink 

 blush when fresh. 



Dimensions : height and breadth of fiabellum 10 cm., diameter of 

 largest stems 1.5 cm. Rather common between 120 and 324 fathoms 

 off the Florida Reef, on rocky bottom. 



