ANTHOZOA OP THE WOODS HOLE REGION. 
251 
subsequent events the determination of its relation to the region. The specimen measured about 50 
by 85 mm., and while more or less eroded was in good state of preservation. The extended dredgings 
made in the waters of Vineyard Sound for many years would seem to have made more or less certain 
its discovery if native to these waters. Vaughan’s description of the species from Porto Rico gives 
no account as to depth from which taken, but merely tire locality (Mayaguez) and from reef. Its habi- 
tat is probably quite shallow, and the course of the Gulf Stream in the region of Woods Hole might 
warrant its northern range. However, speculation is uncalled for; the facts are given for what they 
are, as suggested above. 
ALCYONARIA. 
The alcyonarian fauna of the region is so limited in species as to call for only passing notice. At 
most but two or three species are represented — one under the genus A Icyonium and perhaps two imder 
the genus Penatula. In the deeper waters adjacent to Nantucket and off Marthas Vineyard the group 
has numerous representatives, accounts of which may be found in the reports of the dredging opera- 
ions of the Albatross and Fish Hawk from 1880 to 1898. But as recent collections have added no addi- 
tional facts, either as to species or distribution, it will suffice to call attention to the above reports. 
It seems well to briefly describe the two species more likely to be met with by the student, though 
without attempting details as to structure and habits. 
ALCYONIUM Linnaeus, 1758. 
l^mnazus, Syst. Nat., Hd. x, vol. i, p. 803. 
Dana, Zoophytes, 1846, p. 611. 
Milne-Edwards, Corallines, 1857. 
Corallum fleshy, with granular spicules which do not project beyond the sruface; base more or 
less enlarged and adherent to rocks, shells, etc. Colony variously branched, the branches thick and 
fingerlike, stem more or less devoid of polyps, which are abrmdant on the branches and terminal por- 
tions, and retractile within the coenosarc. 
Alcyonium cameum Agassiz. 
Halcyonium carneum Agassiz, Proc. Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1850, p. 209. 
Alcyonium digitatum Stimpson, Marine Inv. Grand Manan, 1853, p. 7; Smithsonian Contr., vol. vi. 
Alcyonium carneum Verrill, Mem. Boston Nat. Hist., 1866, vol. i; Inv. An. Vineyard Sound, p. 497, 737. 
This conspicuous alcyonarian is well known to almost every collector along the New England 
coast who has paid attention to the coelenterate fauna to any extent. It is rather common from Vine- 
yard Sormd northward to Maine and beyond, occurring on rocks, shells, etc., and in depths of from 
10 to 30 fathoms. It shows small adaptability to aquarium conditions, soon dying when placed therein. 
The color is variable, from pale flesh color to bright pink or reddish or orange. The colony is branched 
variously, the branches thick and fingerlike, from which probably arose the common name, “dead 
men’s fingers,” often used by fishermen. The stem is attached by an expanded base to any convenient 
support, such as shells, etc. Polyps variously distributed over upper portions of stem and branches, 
and in expansion rather conspicuous, having a length of from 7 to lo mm.; they are highly contractile, 
and capable of entire retraction within tire coenenchyma. The tentacles are eight in number, beau- 
tifully fringed with delicate lobes so characteristic of the order. 
PENNATULA. 
Pennatula aculeata Danielson and Keren. 
Pennatula aculeata Danielson and Koran, Forhandl. Vidansk. Selsk, 1858; same authors, Fauna Litt. Norv., iii, 1877. 
Verrill, Am. Jour. Sci., 1873. 
This species was taken by the Fish Hawk at several stations off Marthas Vineyard and Block Island 
in 1882 and 1899, several specimens being now in the collection at Woods Hole. This is a well-known 
and very beautiful pennatulid; stems usually bulbous at base, the bulb larger at the proximal end. 
