- » 



The original definition "i this genus is .is follows 



-i iimple i branched. Axis cali , brittle, smooth or symmetrically 



grooved on the surface. Polyps arranged in spirals or sometimes in mus on the >tem; tentacles 

 and upper portion "t the polyps retractile within prominent verrui l oenenchyma moderatel) 

 thick, with and «.!< >ul >1« • clubs forming a roughened outer layer". 



branching does not seem t" be a good generic character in this group, 

 and is for this genus. The spicules, according to the figures given by Wricht 



and S XXXIV, figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8) are seldom true doublé clubs. This is also 



tru>- s in the Siboga collection. The forms called "doublé clubs" by Wrighi 



and - would be called doublé heads bj the present writer who would define the genus 



Gorgonellidae which are variously branched. but in no known case reticulate. Calyi 

 arranged in spirals or oblique rows in adult colonies, but opposite in young colonies, low ver- 

 or domes capable of retracting with the polyps. Spicules mostly doublé heads and girdled 

 spindles, but simple spindles and a few clubs are also found. 



The type of this species is Scirpearella profunda Wright and Studer. < >ther known 

 species are Scirpearella aurantiaca Thomson and Henderson, S. divisa Thomson and Hen- 

 derson, S. gracilis Wright and Studer, S. indica Hickson, S. moniliformis Wright and Studer. 

 S. rubra Wright and Studer, S. (Scirpearea) furcata (Hickson) and the new species des- 

 cribed beyond. 



1. Scirpearella rubra Wright and Studer (Plate VI, iïgs. 1 — 5). 



irpearella rubra Wright and Studer. Chalienger Reports, the Alcyonaria, 18S9, p. 157. 



t. 60. Haingsisi, Samau Island mar Timor. 23 meters. 



Stat. 80. 2°23'S., 117 '43' E. 50—40 meters. 



Stat. 91. Muaras Keef. inner side, Mast coast of Bornco. Up to 54 meters. 



Stat. 155. Anchorage off Lirung, Salibabu Island. Up to 36 meters. 



it. 164. I°42'.5 S., I30°47'.5 E. 32 meters. 



Stat. 204. 4°2o'S., I22°s8'E. From 75 to 94 met. 1 



Stat. 240. Banda Anchorage. 9 — 45 meters. 



Stat. 258. Tual Anchorage, Kei Islands. 22 meters. 



Stat. 260. 5°36'.5S., 1 32° 55.2 !•:. 90 meters. 



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



a. 310. 8°30'S., 1 >9°7 -5 1"-- 73 meters. 



Colony an unbranched stem (incomplete) 125 cm. long. Diameter near proximal end 



6 mm., ncar distal end 4 mm., near middle 7 mm. The calyces are arranged in more or less 



regular spirals around all sides of the stem, there being usually from seven to ten calyces in 



a spiral, a lutle more than 2 mm. apart on the average. Proximally they are much more 



•it, distally somewhat more closely approximated. Near the distal end one side ol the 



v shows a ratlier broad bare band, but this is not evident on most ol the stem. On the 



proximal part there is a tendency t" show two such bands, frequently invaded however, on 



te sides <<i the colony. 



