44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 43. 



The polyp bodies are not regularly corrugated as in many species 

 of the genus, but have a tough leathery surface, with a few irregular 

 wrinkles due to shrinking. Polyps of a dull purplish color below, 

 livid above, this color extending along the greater part of the dorsal 

 surface. The tentacles are erect, more rigid than usual, their inner 

 and lateral surfaces being deep purplish-brown, as are the distal 

 parts all around. The pinnules are about 24 on each side, their 

 dorsal sides livid, the rest purplish-brown. Their bases are overlaid 

 with comparatively large, bar-like colorless spicules, most of which 

 are longitudinally disposed. Some of them are over 1 mm. in length. 



Very large, bar-like spicules, some of them 2.5 mm. long, are 

 embedded in the tough coenenchyma of the tentacle bases, a group 

 of several being longitudinally disposed along the proximal dorsal 

 part of each tentacle and reaching to the pinnules. 



The general integument of the polyps, rachis, and stem is filled 

 with minute calcareous bodies of an oval or biscuit shape, which are 

 too small to be seen with the unaided eye. 



The zooids are very numerous, but small and inconspicuous. 

 They surround the polyp bases and extend downward in ill-defined 

 triangular patches nearly to the bottom of the swelling below the 

 rachis. They are also scattered between the polyps on the rachis; 

 but the polyps are so compactly crowded on the rachis that there 

 is but little room left for zooids. 



The whole head is so symmetrical that one can not tell without 

 dissection whether there is a terminal polyp or not. 



Spicules: These have been described. Some of those on the 

 tentacle bases are by far the largest that I find mentioned as found 

 in the Umbellulidse, except in Z7. durissima Kolliker. 



Color: The stem is grayish, end-swelling and bulb yellowish- 

 bro^vn; basal parts of polyps reddish-brown or dull purplish, distal 

 parts of bodies and dorsum of tentacles to near tips livid. The rest 

 of the tentacles and most of the pinnules are rich purplish-brown, 

 almost a wine color. 



Locality.-— St&tion 4973; Shio Msaki Light, N. 82° E., 12.5 miles; 

 600 fathoms. 



Type-specimen.— C&t. No. 30009, U.S.N.M. 



This is the finest Umbellula that the writer has seen. It may 

 possibly be Z7. durissima Kolliker, which it resembles in spiculation 

 and color; but it can not be placed here until intergrading specimens 

 are found. 



