NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 
799 
the genus Leptopenus are so extremely fragile, that only under the most favourable com- 
bination of circumstances could they become fossilized. The base of Leptopenus liypoccelus 
is bent upwards below so as to form a hollow cup, and thus rests only on its margin. It 
is perforated throughout like lace-work by a series of apertures arranged in radiating 
rows with perfect symmetry. From the margins of the septa a series of septal spines 
project which probably bore the tentacles in the recent condition of the animal. This, 
Fig 290. — Leptopenus liypoccclu s, Moseley. Oil Valparaiso, 2100 lathoms. View from above. 
however, was not observed to be the case, as only a single specimen of the bare skeleton 
was obtained. It is most extraordinary that a skeleton of such extreme delicacy should 
have reached the surface unbroken. It was necessary to secure the coral in a glass 
box at once to protect iteven during scientific examination. 
“ In some respects the results as to deep-sea corals have been disappointing. No forms 
of Madreporaria have been obtained which have exhibited any very important peculiari- 
(narr. chall. exp.— vol. i. — 1885.) 101 
