1 1 



Acanella Gray (emended by Verrill). 



Gray. Catalogue Lithophytes in British Museum, 1870, p. 16. 

 . Verrill. Bulletin Museum of Comparative / Vol. XI. X i, 1 83, p. 13. 



rnella Studer. Versuch eines Systemes der Alcyonaria, 1887, p. 44. 

 : Wright .md Studer. Challenger Reports, the Alcyonaria, [889, p. 

 N ttin Hawaiian Alcyonaria, 1908, p. 572. 



\'i Kiui.i 's definition of the genus is as follows: 



oral either simple or variously branched. Axis with long calcareous joints and ver) 

 ■ horny ones. The branches, where thej exist, arise from the horny joints, either singly, 

 or two or more together, often forming a whorl. Ccenenchyma very thin, containing, more or 

 abundantly, elongated fusiform spicula, usually of large size. Calicles large, elongated, 

 composed of large fusiform spicula, often obliquely arranged; the margin is armed by eight long, 

 spine-like, projecting acute spicula. Tentacles stilïened by abundant spicula. Base. in most cases. 

 divided into large, flat, palmate lobes, which descend into the mud and serve as supporting 

 roots or anchors". 



Studer (1887 gives a condensed definition, retaining the essential points as given 

 by \'i rkii.i . 



Wrighi and - iSSui retain the definition of Verrill, somewhat condensed, with 



additional point that the basal internodes are much shorter than the distal. For the purposes 

 of this work the folio wing definition is offered for the genus Acanella: 



ratoisidina ; simple or branched, with branches arising from the horny nodes, often in 

 whorls. Calyces prominent, with a crown of marginal points. Tentacles with minute spicules. 

 Ccenenchyma thin, with fusiform s])icules. All spicules have thorny points, but are without 

 true verruci 



The type species of this genus is Acanella arbuscula (Johnston). (Jther known species 

 are Acanella eburnea (Pourtalès), ./. chiliensis Thomson and Henderson, A. gregorii Gray, 

 ./. normani Verrill, A. rigida Wright and Studer, A. robusta Thomson and Henderson, A. 

 simplex Verrill, A. spiculosa Verrill and the additional species about to be described. 



1. Acanella siboga new species. (Plate III, figs. 2, 2a ; Plate V, \\g. 4). 



Stat. 85. o°36'.5S., ii9°2o'.5K. 724 meters. Fine grey mud. 



Stat. 170. 3°37-7S., 1 3 1 ° 26 .4 E. 924 meters. Fine grey mud. 



Stat. 178. 2°40' S., I2S°37'.5 E. 835 meters. Blue mud. 



Stat. 211. 5 40'. 3 S., I20°45 S '-• > '5 S meters. Coarse grey mud. 



it. 241. 4°24'.3S., i29°49'.3K. 1570 meters. Dark sand with smal! stones. 



Type specimen fragmentary, 7.3 cm. long. the proximal part missing. The largest fragment 



consisl of a central straight shaft from which spring four pairs or opposite branches. In two 



■ re is a third branch origin betwecn the bases of the opposite pairs, showing a tendency 



formation of verticels so common in this genus, the verticels being 1.4 cm. apart 



springing from the horny internodes, which are so narrow that they constitute mere bands. 



