THE ALC YON ARIA OF PORTO RICO. 
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Leptogorgia virgulata E. & H. (Fig. K, 1.) 
Among a collection of Alcyonaria obtained by Mr. George M. Gray were specimens of this genus, 
probably identical with L. virgulata E. & H. The specimens are from Jamaica, but no data as to 
depth, bottom, or time were available. Its occurrence is therefore merely mentioned as a matter of 
incidental interest. Fig. K, 1, shows the general aspects of the colony. 
Gorgonia acerosa Pallas. Plate m, fig. 2. 
(Pterogorgia acerosa Ehr. ) 
Of this species the collection contained several fine specimens, all preserved dry. They varied 
in size from 35 to 80 cm. in height. The colonies are completely branched and panicled, the branches 
regularly pinnate, rather long, slender, and flexible. The colonies are light yellowish straw colored. 
This is one of the finest of the Gorgonias, and is well represented in Plate m, fig. 2. These, with othei 
species of Gorgonia, Plexaura, and Eunicca, were taken from comparatively shallow waters in the bay 
of Mayaguez, though no specific data are furnished with the dry specimens. 
Gorgonia flabellum Linn. Plate in, fig. 3. 
( Ehipidogorgia flabellum Valenciennes.) 
Several line specimens of this species were taken in the same locality as the last, varying in 
height from 30 to 60 cm. and in width from 20 to 40 cm. The form is typical flabellate, the branches 
reticulate and coalescent in the most intricate way, with open meshes of fairly similar size and form. 
Occasionally accessory branches or colonies arise from the otherwise plane surfaces and grow into 
structures quite similar to the mother colony, which is distinctively fan-shaped, whence the popular 
term “sea fans,” by which they are commonly known. Color in general yellowish brown, varying in 
places to purple. 
Gorgonia bipinnata Verrill. 
( Pterogorgia bipinnata Verrill.) 
In height the specimens measured 110 and 350 mm. , respectively, by about 60 to 150 mm. in width. 
They are of characteristic flabelliform shape, branches twice pinnate and somewhat coalescent. Color 
white (alcoholic), with black, horny axis showing through the rather thin coenenchyma. Spicules. 
Roughly tuberculate spindles. Plate in, fig. 4, affords a good general impression of the colony as a 
whole. 
Taken at stations 6079 and 6088, by the tangle, f um depths of 20 to 23 fathoms, February 6, 1899. 
Antipath.es tristis Duehassaing. 
A single specimen of this species was taken at station 6070, at a depth of 220 to 225 fathoms, from 
rocky bottom, by means of the trawl. While not now generally recognized as a true Alcyonarian, it 
maybe briefly described in this connection. The specimen is about 15 cm. in height. Polyps closely 
contracted upon rather slender branches, having a somewhat spiral arrangement upon the stem. The 
spines are sharp, triangular, quite as figured by Pourtales (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. vi, No. 4). 
Syracuse University, September U 1900. 
