384 THE GORGONIANS OF THE BRAZILIAN COAST. 



The calicles are rather large, irregularly scattered, mostly separated 

 intervals equal to about twice the diameter of the apertures. Many are notTr 

 all raised above the ccenenchyma; others have a slightly raised, thickened 

 margin, and a few form low verrucse. The apertures in the dry specimens are 

 mostly partially open, about 1 mm. in diameter. The majority are elliptical 

 or oval; many are roundish; some crescent-shaped, some are mere slits- others 

 are nearly or quite closed, showing a mere punctate aperture, or none at all. 



The ccenenchyma is nearly smooth, very thick, hard and firm, composed of 

 vast numbers of small spicules, with still smaller ones at the surface. In some 

 places there are rather deep, irregular grooves and wrinkles, both longitudinal 

 and oblique, sometimes forming polygonal areas, enclosing several calicles. 



In tangential sections the calicles are larger and round, about 1.5 mm. in 

 diameter, not crowded. The tubules of the ccenenchyma are smaller and less 

 distinct than in the allied species, while the intervening substance is filled with 

 larger and rougher spicules that tend to obscure them. The exterior pores are 

 minute, sunken in pits, and obscured by the irregular, rough, granule-like spicules. 



Color, in alcohol, light brownish yellow; pale buff when dry. Axis in the 

 branches hard and black. 



The spicules are larger and stouter with coarser warts than in the other 

 species. The larger ones are stout, obtuse and subacute double-spindles and 

 unevenly developed crosses or twin-spicules. They are pretty evenly covered 

 with spaced, rough warts. The regular crosses are large and stout, with thick, 

 conical rays, evenly warted. Many irregular twinned spicules occur. 



The larger double-spindles measure 0.53 X 0.15; 0.54 X 0.16; 0.39 X 0.15; 

 0.42 X 0.16; 0.38 X 0.22; 0.38 X 0.19; twinned spindles, 0.49 X 0.28; 0.44 X 

 0.27; crosses, 0.48 X 0.38 mm. 



Fernando Noronha, Brazil. Coll. Mr. J. C. Branner. C. F. Hartt Exped. 

 Type, No. 4509, Yale Museum. 



Plexaurella cylindrica Verrill, sp. nov. 



Plexaurella dichotoma V. (pars), op. cit., p. 361, pi. IV, 1868 (non Esper) Hartt, Geology of 

 Brazil, pp. 62, 179, 210, 1870. 



Plate XXXII, figure 7 (part of branch of No. 1 597, enlarged) . Plate XXXIV, 

 figure 4 (spicules). Plate XXXV, figure 4 (spicules); 14 (tangential section). 



Coral of the type rather stout, regularly dichotomous, with four, regular, 

 thick, elongated, quickly ascending branches, not in one plane. The branches 

 are terete, nearly cylindric, but most are slightly enlarged at the evenly rou ^ d *j 

 tips. The first division occurs close to the base ; the second stage at 35 and 5 

 mm. higher. 



Total height, 165 mm.; breadth, 55 mm.; length of longest branch, 150 mm.; 

 diameter in middle, 10 to 11 mm.; diameter of calicles, mostly 2 mm.; of open 

 apertures, about 1 mm. , 



The calicles are everywhere closely crowded and mostly in contact. ^ 

 are scarcely raised above the general level, and their boundaries are de n 



