NO. 1624. DESCRIPTIONS OF HAWAIIAN ALCYONARIA—NUTTING. 569 



Order GORGONACEA. 



Fixed colonial forms with a distinct axis cylinder composed of cal- 

 careous or chitinous material. 



Section SCLERAXONIA. 



Axis composed of calcareous spicules, which are either free or fused 

 into a solid mass. 



Family BEIAREID^ Wright and Studer. 

 Axis cylinder composed of closely packed but distinct spicules. 



Genus PARAGORGIA Milne-Edwards. 



PARAGORGIA NODOSA Koren and Danielssen. 



Paragorgia nodosa Koren and Danielssen, Nye Alcyouider, Gorgonider og 

 Pennatulider tilhorende Norges Fauna, Bergen, 1883, p. 18. 



A careful comparison of the single specimen secured by the Alba- 

 tross shows that it agrees with the original description in every essen- 

 tial particular except in the matter of color, which is bright coral red 

 with a white axis in the Hawaiian specimen. The color of the type 

 specimen was yellowish red. 



The colony bears a striking superficial resemblance to CoralUum, 

 and was mistaken for that when first seen. 



Distribution.— 0& the Island of Kauai: Station 4030, 423-1:38 

 fathoms (Cat. No. 25357, U.S.N.M.). 



The original specimen was taken from the North Atlantic, off the 

 coast of Norway. 



Family SCLEROGORGID^ Wright and Studer. 



Axis cylinder unjointed, composed of a horny substance and agglu- 

 tinated calcareous spicules that are easily separated. Polyps com- 

 pletely retractile. 



Genus KEROEIDES Wright and Studer. . 



Calyces in the form of warty verrucse, in two lateral rows. Spicules 

 of axis smooth, spindle-shaped. 



KEROEIDES GRACILIS Whitelegge. 



Keroeides gracilis Whitelegge, Memoirs of the Australian Museum, III, 

 Pt. 5, 1899, p. 308. 



Quite characteristic specimens of this species were found in the 

 Hawaiian material. 



