no.1658. ALCYONARIA OF THE CALIFORNIA^ OOAST W VTINQ, ~ \ ;, 



CALIGORG1A SERTOSA Wright and Studer. 



Caligorgia aertosa Wright and Studer, Challenger Report, Alcyonaria, i vv 'i. 



p. 77. 



An incomplete colony is 260 nun. high, Aabellate in Form, con- 

 sisting of a centra] geniculate stem giving off regularly alternate 

 branches at the angles or geniculations. Some of the branches give 

 off branchlets in the same manner. 



The axis shows a distincl golden iridescence. The ccenenchyma 

 is thin. 



The calyces are arranged in whorls of three to six, by far the most 

 common number being lour. In places there are simply two opposite 

 or subopposite calyces. 



Thr\ are about 2 mm. in length, and the space between whorls is 

 about 1 mm. In form the calyces are curved spindles, curving from the 

 base outward, upward; and inward so that their apertures are directed 

 toward the stem or branch. The margins are composed of ctenate 

 scales inside of which are the bases of the 8 opercular scales which 

 form a pyramidal operculum. The individual opercular scales are 

 long triangles, somewhat twisted and bent, and overlapping at the 

 tips when the polyp is fully retracted. The upper whorl of calycular 

 scales are ctenate, with radiating striae, the others show these markings 

 feebly if at all. There are six to nine whorls of scales in the calyces, 

 the most common numbers being seven or eight. 



The spicules are scale-like, flattened, sometimes oblong or fusiform 

 on the stem and branches. The\ are imbricating and fan-shaped on 

 the calycular walls. 



( 'oZor. In alcohol, light tan. 



Distribution- Station 4356, Point Loma light-house X. 82° 30' 

 E. 5.9 miles, 120 131 fathoms; Station 4357, Point Loma light- 

 house X. 81° E. T.o miles. I.'li fathoms; Station 4358, Point I a 



light-house X. 82 30' E. 8.2 miles, 191 fathoms; Station 1386, 

 30 30' 30" X.. lis of;' 10" W., 1,011' fathoms; Station 1391, 

 33 02' 15" X.. 120 36' 30" W.. 1,350 fathoms. 



The type was secured by the Challenger at Station 192, oil' Kei 

 [sland, South Pacific, 140 fathoms. 



Genus PLUMARELLA. 



Colony llabellate: calyces small, cylindrical, alternate and opposite; 

 Usually somewhat distant. Calyx spicules scale-like. thin, cycloid. 



