I'li. ,,| internode is 6 mm. long, and .1 distal one 8 mm. long. The main stem 



m from its base into two irregular branches which are erect and nearly parallel, 

 branchlets, one from each node. F/he largest branch is sinuous. I h<- disl 



o the length of the internodes. The calyo - are lateral in position, 

 in mam species, and leave proportionally broader naked areas on the back 

 I front branch< 



liic individual 1 quite smal! dome-shaped verrucae which show as dark red 



1 with the lighter red of the ccenenchyma. An average calyx measures .5 mm. 



in height by .7 mm. in diameter, tluis being smaller than any other species <>f this genus in 



• :i. rhe calyx walls are filled with Stachelkeulen the spiny points of which gi 



bristling appearance. The polyps are very small, retractile and, on account of their red color 



jame as that of the calyces, hard to study. The spiculation, however, seems to be 



ame as in allied species, consisting of a collarei of transverse spicules above which 8 points 



formed by t\\«> or more spindles on each tentacle base meeting at an angle, and a distal 



of longitudinal spindles on the dorsal surfaces of the tentacles. 



Spicules. These are quite different from those of other species dl' the genus the most 

 characteristic ones being triangular in outline with their surfaces covered with large warty 

 tubercles. ["hese triangles are large, and are modifications of the spiny club type, many ol them 

 showing short thorny or foliaceaous projections from their club end. Both Blattkeulen and 

 Stachelkeulen are found, the latter predominating. Ordinary spindles are rather rare. When 

 nt they are usually short, curved and ornamenteel with whorls of verrucae. 



dor. The colony is a dark. rather tl uil , coral red and the calyces and polyp spindles 

 a dark crimson red. 



Genus Mopsella Gray. 



Mopsella Gray. Proceedings Zoological Society of London, 1857, p. 248. 

 Mopsella Ridley. Zoological Collections II. M.S. Alert, 1884. p. J58. 

 Mopsella Studer. Versuch eines Systemes der Alcyonaria, 1 s S 7 , p. 31. 

 Mopsella Wright and Studer. Challenger Reports, the Alcyonaria, 1889, p. XXXVI. 

 Mopsella Kükenthal. Die Gorgonidenfamilie der Melitodidae, Zoolog. Anz. Bd. XXXIII, 1908, 

 p. 198. 



The original definition of this genus is not at present accessible to the writer. Ridley 

 \) emphasizes the necessity of depending largely on spicule characters in defining genera 

 of this family. 



ives as the charactcr of the genus the penetration of the internodes by 

 the water-vascular canals and the presence of spindles and foliaceous clubs among the spicules. 

 K kenthal (1908) gives the first satisfactory definition of the genus, which may be 

 translated as follows : 



■nies usually flabellate. The branching is dichotomous and from the nodes. Axis 

 ted by water-vascular canals. Cortical spindles foliaceous clubs. Polyps in low 

 on the sides and one surface of the usually not flattened branches". 



