328 PROrBSSOE P. M. DUNCAN ON THE 



costulate, and that over the rest of the corallum granular and without any epitheca. 

 The calices increase by fissiparity, and form occasionally short series. Septa numerous, 

 and not very exsert. Dissepiments common. 



SoLENOSMiLiA VARIABILIS, Duncan. (Plate XLII. figs. 11-18.) 



The primary corallites are not much larger than the others. Wall usually granular, 

 but shining to the naked eye, and rarely costulate throughout. Terminal calices 

 bifurcate, and usually separated by costulate tissue. Fossa very deep. The columella 

 is formed of laminse and the paliform ends of the septa, and is very deeply situated. 

 Septa barely exsert, granular laterally, unequal, long, and curved. 



Most of the septa terminate at the columella in paliform prolongations. The septal 

 number is very variable. There may be three complete cycles in six systems, four 

 cycles in two systems, and three in the others; fifty-eight septa may be placed irre- 

 gularly, so that the septal number varies from that characteristic of three cycles to 

 four cycles, with members of the fifth. 



The shape of the calices is very variable. 



The dissepiments occur in some corallites, and not in others.""* 



The costee usually terminate high up. 



Height of corallum 3 to 4 inches; length of corallites -po to -j^ inch; length of 

 calices ^ to -j^ inch ; breadth of calices I'g^ to -j^ inch. 



Variation. — The amount of bud-variation is extraordinary ; and some of the calices 

 are exceedingly like stunted specimens of Desmo^jhyllimi. The bud of one specimen 

 was decidedly costulate throughout. 



The corallum is fragile-looking but is strong ; for the wall is thick. Often there is 

 a faint bluish tinge in the calices and central hard parts. 



In dredging 17, 1095 fathoms, abundant ; in dredging 32, 651 fathoms, one specimen, 

 which was lighter than those of No. 17, and tinged blue. (2nd expedition.) 



Section Stylinace^ indefendentes. 

 Genus Lophohelia. 

 Lophohelia prolipeea, Pallas, sp., 1766. (Plate XLIV. figs. 7-11.) 



MM. Milne-Edwards and Jules Haime^ distinguish the genus and species as foUows : — 

 The corallum is dendi-oid, and its form results from an irregular alternate and sub- 

 terminal (submarginal) gemmation. 



The calices have their margins everted oftentimes and lamellar; and their central 

 cavity is very deep. The septa are entire, exsert, and meet internally at the bottom of 

 the visceral chamber by their inner margins, and without the existence of a columella 

 and pali. No true coenenchyma exists. 



' Hist. Nat. des Corall. vol. ii. p. 116. 



