77 



the calyx spicules; but here, again, there is a wide difference between the characteristic spicules 

 of the two genera. 



Perhaps the closest relationship, however, is with the genus Acts, with which Placo- 

 gorgia almost intergrades in some cases by possessing large ^cales that approach the si/.e of 

 those found in Acts, as in the case of Placogorgia squamata. In this species, however, there 

 is a more evident imbrïcation of the calyx spicules than is found in Acts. 



i. Placogorgia atlautica Wright and Studer. 



Placogorgia atlautica Wright and Studer. Challenger Reports, the Alcyonaria, 1889, p. 114. 



Stat. 15. 7°2'.6S., 11 5 23'. 6 E. near Kangeang Islands. 100 meters. Coral sand. 

 Stat. 260. 5°36'.5S., I32°55'.2E. near Kei Islands. 90 meters. Sand, coral and shells. 



Colony flabellate in form, 7.4 cm. in height and 10.3 cm. in width. The main stem 

 gives off a short branch 9 mm. from its base, and another on the same side about 1 cm. 

 above the first. Shortly above this latter it divides into three parts, the central one being 

 erect and unbranched, the others being lateral, branched in a rudely alternate manner, and 

 sometimes reachino- the fifth order of branchine. 



The calyces are mainly lateral and roughly alternate in position, and are ordinarily about 

 1 mm. apart, although in some places the branches are bare for as much as six mm. 



The individual calyces are subconical in shape, a typical one measuring a little less 

 than 1 mm. in height and 1.5 mm. in diameter. The calyx walls are filled with imbricating 

 thin plates or Stachelplatten with jagged irregular edges projecting ontward and upward. The 

 distal row of these plates sends up a jagged irregular row of processes around the calyx 

 margin. The polyps are retractile, and when retracted the operculum rests well below the 

 margin. The collaret is slender and the operculum is composed of the ordinary three spindles, 

 which are small in size, and therefore the different flaps of the operculum leave well-marked 

 spaces between them. The whole of these spaces form a rosette-shaped figure when viewed 

 from above. The ccenenchyma of the stem and branches is filled with short spindles, blunt at 

 the ends, which lie generally in a longitudinal direction. 



Spicules. These are mainly of two types. The first kind is found in the calyx walls, 

 and consists of variously branched plates, the lobular or sharp projections from the sides 

 forming the points seen in the calyx walls, the remainder of each spicule being buried. The 

 second sort of spicule is the blunt-ended spindle found mainly in the ccenenchyma of the stem 

 and branches. Besides these two main types there are a few crosses, stars, daggers, etc. 



Color. The colony is dark grayish brown, the axis dark brown, the spicules colorless. 



General distribution. The type and only previously known specimen, was secured 

 at St. Paul's Rock, Atlantic Ocean. Depth 80 fathoms. 



2. Placogorgia campanulifera new species. (Plate XI, figs. 3, 30 ; Plate XXI, fig. 13). 

 Stat. 47. Bay of Bima. 55 meters. Mud with sand. 



'<^°° ! 



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