28 



At the end of the branch there is often a triangular expansion with a calyx at each 

 outer angle. While this is usually the case, there are branches that distinctly terminate in 

 calyces, or rather in a single calyx. The calyces are 3 to 5 mm. apart. 



The individual calyces are in the shape of truncated cones, set at a right angle to the 

 branches, and compressed in the plane of the branch. They are usually about 2 mm. in height 

 to the bases of the tentacles, and about 4 mm. broad at the base. The tentacles, when folded, 

 form a high, almost conical, dome about 2 mm. in height, resting on the calyx margin, and 

 showing a well-marked collaret. The spicules of the operculum are longitudinally disposed on 

 the distal portions, and small spindles disposed en chevron on the basal parts. 



Spicules. These are all spindles of various forms and sizes. They are usually terete, 

 straight, and very densely tuberculated. They are of about the same types on calyces and 

 ccenenchyma of sterns and branches. 



Color. The colony (in alcohol) is a light creamy white. The axis is horn color, and 

 the spicules colorless. 



The character of the branch terminations of this species was the one that made it 

 necessary to combine the old genera Muriccides and Clcmatissa. It is possible that where there 

 are two terminal calyces on the triangular expansion of a branch, the branch was destined to fork. 



2. Muriccides collaris new species. (Plate IV, figs. 3, 3«; Plate XIX, fig. 10). 

 Stat. 253. 5°48'.2 S., I32°I3'E. near Kei Islands. 304 meters. Clay. 



Colony straggling in habit, 22 cm. in height. The main stem is unbranched for about 

 7 cm., where it bifurcates ; or rather sends off a branch about as large as the main stem, 

 which branch divides dichotomously. The main stem gives off two other lateral branches on 

 each side, one of which divides dichotomously. All of the branches turn upward shortly after 

 they leave the main stem or branch, and become erect and parallel. The main stem is about 

 4 mm. in diameter near its base, and the distal ends of the branches 2 to 3 mm. The 

 branches do not end in calyces. The calyces are quite unevenly distributed, but most of them 

 are placed on the sides of the branches. They are, on an average, about 2 mm. apart. The 

 ccenenchyma is thick. 



The individual calyces are in the shape of truncated cones upon the summits of which 

 rest the collarets of the retracted polyps. They are about 1 mm. in height, to the collaret, and 

 about 1.5 mm. in diameter at the summit, and 2 mm. in diameter at the base. The calyx walls 

 are filled with longitudinally placed spicules which are not en chevron, some of their points 

 projecting slightly above the margin. The operculum is highly arched, almost conical, and each 

 flap has several long spindles on the distal portion, and a few spindles placed en chevron 

 on the basal part of the tentacle. 



Spicules. These are usually straight, tuberculate spindles. Sometimes, however, they 

 are curved, and, rarely, branched. Occasional lobed, triradiate forms are seen, sometimes taking 

 the form of Stachelplatten ; but the great majority are straight or curved spindles. 



