. The Danish Ingolf-Expedition. Scientific expeditions; Arctic Ocean. PENNATULIDA. 29 It is well-known that most of the specimens found in collections are fragments; generally the peduncle is wanting, often also the upper end. This, of course, is often owing to the fact that the long and thin colonies with the fragile calcareous axis, are easily broken by the fishing gear, and especially easily at the spot where they rise up from the bottom. But when Kolliker says that he has seen no single specimen undamaged at the upper end, this statement is most likely due to a very common misconception. T
. The Danish Ingolf-Expedition. Scientific expeditions; Arctic Ocean. PENNATULIDA. 29 It is well-known that most of the specimens found in collections are fragments; generally the peduncle is wanting, often also the upper end. This, of course, is often owing to the fact that the long and thin colonies with the fragile calcareous axis, are easily broken by the fishing gear, and especially easily at the spot where they rise up from the bottom. But when Kolliker says that he has seen no single specimen undamaged at the upper end, this statement is most likely due to a very common misconception. The fact that a naked end of the calcareous axis, which moreover is abruptly broken, projects from the sarcosoma, is generally taken to be due either to a contraction in spirit of the soft parts of the colony, or to chance mutilation. That the former cannot hold good as a general cause is easily seen: in many cases, the sarcosoma beneath the naked part of the axis is not contracted at all or drawn away from its part of the axis, but wraps this part as firmly as in any other part of the colony, and moreover specimens just caught and still living show the same feature. If the condition was due to damage, the first thought occurring to one would be of such as might be caused by the fishing gear. But the same kind of fishing gear may bring up other forms as long and fragile, for instance Funiculina, in a quite undamaged condition, sometimes even together with Virgularise; and again, there are several signs tending to show that Virgularia and allied forms, while they are still growing undisturbed in their natural element, are already possessed of the naked end of the axis; it is well-known that other organisms, for instance Serpulse, have been found attached to this part1); besides, certain Yirgularia; and Stylatuke have been observed in places where it was possible to wade out at low water, and draw- them up with the hands, or where divers might easily see and take them-); these for
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