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 hypoccelus 
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 280 —Leptopenus hypoccelus, Moseley. Off Valparaiso, 2160 fathoms. 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 
