Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/436

336 wear away, and on the general surface of the branches only circular openings are left, which are hardly at all prominent.

"In examining into the relations of this species, we have another proof of the necessity of good figures to determine species. The description given of R. versipalma is as follows:—"R. nana, ramosissima; ramis ramulosa-palmatis; palmis brevibus variè versis; interna superficie poris prominalis scabra; externa sublævigata."

"This description might do for the present species if taken from a specimen of which the summits of the branches were not quite perfect, but as the lateral position of the openings of the terminal cells is not mentioned, there is good reason to believe that the present is a different species. It is to call attention to this point that the name 'lateralis' is given to this species, though it is at the risk of finding this character common to others, when specimens are found in a perfect state. It is to be observed also that the cells of H. frondiculata have not, strictly speaking, circular openings, although the tube of the cell is cylindrical. The end of the tube of the cell is in the perfect specimens much higher on one side than the rest, so that the opening becomes elliptic by being oblique to the line of the elongated tubular cell.

"A new species of Primnoa, which I name P. Rossii.

"A Melitœa, nov. sp.—M. australis.

"A Madrepora? nov. sp.—M. fissurata.

"This is hardly to be considered a true Madrepora, but I am unwilling to make a genus for it.

"I send herewith drawings of the three corals last mentioned, which are perhaps the most interesting of the whole. These drawings are carefully and correctly made, and I will say little of the description of them, as the figures will be more useful than words. Although we have long known that a Primnoa from Norway, (of which I will speak presently,) is found at a great depth, and some other corals have been taken at from 70 to 100 fathoms; yet it is rare,