83 



9. Placogorgia bebrycoides new species. (Plate XIII, figs. 4, 4^; Plate XXII, fig. 11), 



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

 Stat. 274. ; 1 2S'.2S., 134 53.9 I".. Aru Islands. 57 meters. Sand and stones. 

 Stat. 305. Mid channel, Solor Straits, oft' Kampong Menanga. 113 meters. Stony. 



Colony flabellate in form, 8.4 cm. in height and with a spread of •/.■/ cm. The main 

 stem gives off one stub of a branch at its base, another 6 mm. above this, and 6 mm. still 

 higher np it divides into two large flabellate branches. One of these gives off three compound 

 branchlets and two simple ones on one side, and two simple ones on the other. The other 

 main branch gives off one compound and two simple branches on its outer side, and one 

 compound branch on its inner side. There are some branchings up to the fourth order. The 

 average distance between branches in about 7 mm. 



The calyces are distributed on all sides of the stem and branches, are often closely 

 approximated and seldom more than 2 mm. apart. The tips of the ultimate twigs are some- 

 what swollen. 



The individual calyces are very low verrucse, sometimes practically included in the 

 ccenenchyma. They rarely attain 1 mm. in height, and are about 1.6 mm. broad at their bases. 

 The calyx walls are covered with rather large, imbricating disc-like or oval spicules whose 

 edges are minutely ctenate. Sometimes there are a few more attenuated spindles around the 

 calyx margin, but ordinarily it is surrounded by a row of the protruded ctenate edges of oval 

 or disc-like forms. The polyps are completely retractile, and are usually entirely withdrawn 

 within the calyces. The collaret is well developed, and composed of two or three rows of 

 encircling spindles. 



The operculum is high, and its most prominent feature is the three spicules forming 

 the acute-angled triangle common in this genus. Besides these there are accessory spindles lying 

 aionor the dorsal surface of the tentacle. 



Spicules. The most characteristic form is the oval, disc-like spicule, quite heavy and 

 having its outer edge ctenate. Often the tubercles give it a ctenate appearance all the way 

 around. These spicules are sometimes nearly round, and at others squarish. Typical spindles 

 are very rare. The general appearance of the surface of the ccenenchyma suggests the genus 

 Bebryce, but the spicules do not have the central projections characteristic of that genus. 



Color. The colony is light buffy brown, the axis dark brown, and the spicules colorless. 



A specimen from Station 164 is considerably larger than the one described above, being 

 15.5 mm. in height. 



10. Placogorgia altemata new species. (Plate XIII, figs. 2, 2«; Plate XXII, fig. 7). 



Stat. 204. 4°2o'S., I22°58 E. near Buton. 75 — 94 meters. Sand. 



Stat. 305. Mid channel in Solor Strait, off Kampong Menanga. 113 meters. Stony. 



Colony flabellate in habit, 16 cm. in height and 14 cm. in width. The stem is 6 mm. in 

 diameter near its base. The main stem gives off irregularly alternate branches until it attains 



