i8 



constant. The whorls are only about one mm. apart. The branches end in polyps, and the 

 ccenenchyma is thin. 



These projecting points are more numerous, heavy and constant than in any of the 

 preceding species. The polyp is very heavily armed with spicules, and does not appear to be 

 capable of complete retraction, and when considerable expanded it is difficult to distinguish 

 between the cajyx and cesophageal part of the polyp, although there is a crown on the margin. 

 The proximal portion of the incurved tentacles are protected by heavy longitudinal spicules, 

 and the distal portions by lighter ones. 



Spicules. There are mainly straight and curved tuberculate spindles. There are also 

 crown spicules of the characteristic acanthogorgian type. A few forked and triradiate forms are 

 seen, and also, but rarely, crosses. 



C o 1 o r. The color, in alcohol, is grayish brown. The axis is dark golden brown, and 

 the spicules are colorless. 



General distribution. The type was secured in the Gulf of Gascogne at a depth 

 of 240 meters. No other specimens have been reported, except those secured by the Siboga- 

 Expedition. Besides the specimen described above, another, much smaller one in poor condition 

 was secured from the same station. 



The Siboga specimens agree with Studer's description. His figures indicate that the type 

 was yellow in color, but his description calls it brown. 



8. Acanthogorgia fiabellitui Hickson. 



Acantliogorgia flabelhim Hickson. The Alcyonaria of the Maldives, 1905, p. 812. 



Stat. 117. i°o'.5 N., I22°56'E. North Celebes, 80 meters. Sand and coral. 

 Stat. 125. Anchorage off Sawan, Island Siau. 27 meters. Stony. 

 Stat. 164. i°42'.S S., I30°47'.5 E. West New Guinea. 32 meters. Sand and stone. 

 Stat. 310. 8° 30' S., 119 7'. 5 E. Flores Sea. 73 meters. Sand. 



Stat. 315. East of Sailus Besar, Paternoster-Islands. Up to 36 meters. This is the specimen 

 described. 



Colony flabellate, loosely reticulate, attaining a height of about 12 cm. and a breadth 

 of 7 cm. Branches and main stem about the same diameter throughout. Calyces unevenly 

 distributed, fairly thickly emplanted ; mainly on the sides of the branches, but by no means 

 'acking on the front and back. The distribution is very uneven, there being considerable spaces 

 destitute of calyces, while others are crovvded. 



The individual calyces are very small, attaining a height of but 1 mm. Their outline is 

 dome-shaped, owing to the regularly arched tentacular surface and low walls. The opercuhim 

 is composed of three spindles for each flap, and is often almost entirely concealed by the crown 

 points. The calyx walls are covered with spicules, many of which are branched or triradiate, 

 their points sticking upward and ontward. These calycular spicules look as though they had 

 been arranged en chevron and then, owing to the shortening of the calyx, pressed down 

 until they lie almost horizontally, encircling the calyx. The ccenenchyma is moderately thick. 



