82 



delicate spindles arranged in the usual manner, there being two long bent ones with a 

 shorter one between their divaricated bases. There is a delicate collaret formed of a row of 

 slender spindles. 



Spicules. The most characteristic forms are warty discs with serrated edges. Larger 

 and more irregular scale-like spicules are embedded in the ccenenchyma, where they are usually 

 distinctly imbricated. There are a few regular spindles and small multiradiate forms. 



Color. The colony is a light grayish brown, the ax'is very dark brown, and the 

 spicules colorless. 



This species approximates closely to some of the forms under the genus Acis\ but the 

 absence of very large spindles and the imbrication of the scales on all parts seems to justify 

 the author in placing it in the genus Placogorgia. 



8. Placogorgia studcri new species. (Plate XIII, figs. i, i«; Plate XXII, fig. 9). 

 Stat. 260. s°36'.5S., i32°55'.2E. near Key Islands. 90 meters. Sand, coral and shells. 



Colony flabellate, 14 cm. in height ancl with a spread of 8.2 cm. The main stem is 

 erect ancl fairly straight, giving off a short simple branch 2.6 cm. from its base and a larger 

 one 1.3 cm. above the first. This large branch is compound, bearing four simple branchlets on 

 one side, and one branchlet, which forks near the end, on the other. Above this large branch 

 the main stem bears five branches, one of which is compound, on one side; and five branches, 

 three of which again divide, on the other. The average distance between branches is about 

 1 cm. The calyces are emplanted on all sides of the stem and branches, but tend to be lateral 

 in position. They are about 2.1 mm. apart, on the average. 



The individual calyces are in the form of truncated cones, a typical one measuring 

 1 mm. in height and 1.8 mm. in diameter at the base. The lower parts of the calyx walls 

 are filled with imbricating ovoid scales ; or stout spindles which are often transversely placed, 

 but may be oblique or vertical. The distal part of the wall is filled with much smaller vertical 

 spindles, the distal ends of which show as projecting points around the margin. The polyps 

 are retractile, but many of them rest with the collaret just above the margin of the calyx. 

 The collaret is well marked, consisting of three or more rows of transverse spindles. The 

 operculum is composed of three spindles forming an acute-angled triangle, as is common in 

 the family Muriceida. 



Spicules. The typical form in this species is a flattened spindle, so short as to be 

 oval in outline. Thus a scale-like outline is produced. The edges of the scales are minutely 

 ctenate, and the edges of successive scales overlap both in the calyces and general ccenenchyma. 

 Besides these scales there are a few short spindles of the ordinary proportions. 



Color. The colony is a light grayish brown, in alcohol. The spicules are colorless. 



The author takes pleasure in naming this species in honor of the veteran naturalist 

 Professor Th. Studer, author of many important works dealing with the Alcyonaria. 



