47 



Acabaria formosa is allied to A. biserialis Kükenthal, but is stouter, and the calyces 

 are much larg-er. 



4. Acabaria hicksoni new species. (Plate VIII, figs. 3, 3a; Plate XII, fig. 4). 



Stat. 60. Haingsisi, Samau Island near Timor. Reef. 23 meters. Lithothamnion in 3 meters 

 and less. 



Specimens consisting of a number of fragments. The largest is sub-flabellate in form 

 and very erratic and straggling in its manner of growth. The proximal part is gone, and its 

 form is such that it is difficult to teil which is the main stem or branch. The specimen is 

 6.6 cm. in length and about 3.5 cm. in spread. The largest branch is 1.5 mm. in diameter 

 between the calyces. The nodes are not sharply distinguished from the internodes, and are 

 not so distinctly triangular in shape as is often the case. They vary from 2.5 mm. (proximal) 

 to 1.2 mm. (distal) in length. The internodes vary from 4 mm. (proximal) to 13 mm. (distal) 

 in length. The branching is such that the greater part of the specimen is in two parallel planes. 

 The branching is dichotomous, as a rule, but there are a number of ultimate lateral branchlets. 

 The furcations are Y-shaped rather than U-shaped. The calyces are mainly lateral in position, 

 where they are rather close set and tend to an alternate position. 



The individual calyces are in the form of low domes when the polyps are completely 

 retracted, and short tubes when they are expanded. A typical one measures 1 mm. in height 

 and 1.2 mm. in diameter. The spiculation of the calyx walls shows a basal arrangement of 

 horizontal spicules, but an en chevron arrangement toward the margins. The polyps, in 

 partial retraction, form a strongly marked S-rayed figure or rosette when viewed from above. 

 There is a well-marked collaret of reddish spicules, above which is an en chevron arrangement 

 of spindles on the tentacle bases which blends in color from red to yellow. The remainder of 

 the dorsal surfaces of the tentacles are provided with longitudinal yellow spindles, and an 

 oblique series of spindles is on each side of the tentacle extending from the dorsal surface to 

 the pinnule bases, forming an armature that is unusual in this family. 



Spicules. These are much as in Acabaria tenuis Kükenthal. The spindles seem to 

 be a little heavier on the average, but I fail to find any specific differences, so far as the form 

 of the spicules is concerned. 



Color. The colony is a dark red and the polyps are red and yellow. 



This species differs from Acabaria tennis in being of a more robust habit, in irregularity 

 of branching, in larger calyces and thicker branches and in the spiculation of the polyps. 



5. Acabaria triangulata new species. (Plate VIII, figs. 2, ia ; Plate XII, fig. 5). 



Stat. 260. 5 36.5 S., I32°55'.2E. 90 meters. Sand, coral and shells. 



Stat. 274. 5 28.2 S., 1 34 53'. 9 E. 57 meters. Sand and shells, stones. (Type locality). 



The colony is sub-flabellate in form, 6.3 cm. high and 1.5 cm. broad. The stem and 

 branches are round in section. The main stem is 1.5 cm. long to the first branch and 1.9 cm. 

 in diameter. The second node is 3.8 mm. long and 3 mm. broad, and a distal node is 1 mm. 



