NO. 1923. DESCRIPTIONS OF PACIFIC ALCYONARIA— NUTTING. 73 



Locality. — Station 4936; Sata Misaki Light, N. 21° E., 5.7 miles; 

 103 fathoms. 



Distribution. — The type-locality is North Celebes, 80 meters; also 

 fomid by the Siboga Expedition in Banda Sea, 304 meters. 



ACANTHOGORGIA FUSCA, new species. 

 Plate 10, figs. 1, la; plate 19, fig. 5. 



Colony flabellate in form, very dark in color, 12 cm. in height, 

 and with a spread of 13 cm. The stem is unbranched for 6.1 cm., 

 above which two large branches are given off from each side and a 

 stub on one side. The main branches are closely approximated, 

 and each sends off several irregularly disposed lateral branches 

 which sometimes fork, but usuahy remain sunple. The calyces are 

 very thickly distributed on all sides in indistinct whorls or spirals 

 of 4 or 5, the distance between calyces being usually considerably 

 less than 1 mm. 



The individual calyces are tubular with an abrupt constriction just 

 below the tentacle bases, 1.8 to 2 mm. in height and with a greatest 

 diameter of 1 .2 mm. There is a crown of conspicuous points projecting 

 upward and outward from the margm, each point being formed by a 

 single long sharp spicule projecting 1 mm. beyond the margm. The 

 calyx walls are filled with long spindles arranged en chevron m 8 

 rows, their points projecting upward and outward from the walls. 

 The distal parts of the walls are much lighter in color than the rest 

 and seem to have smaller spicules, excepting those of the margin. 

 Inside the crown are a number of sunilar thorny spindles bending over 

 the tentacle bases and almost completely concealing the latter when 

 viewed from above. 



The spicules are all spindles. Those of the crown are of the regular 

 acanthogorgian type, 1.7 mm. long, with a long, slender, smooth 

 pointed distal part, and a much shorter, densely tuberculate (but 

 not branched) proximal part which is bent at an angle with the 

 distal part and immersed in the calyx wall. The other spicules are 

 bent or curved, rather slender spindles with surfaces covered with 

 not very closely crowded pointed tubercles. 



Color: The stem is dark brown, calyces umber-brown lightening 

 on distal parts; crown and tentacular portions appearing white on 

 accomit of the dense tuft of colorless spicules. 



Locality.— Station 4935; Sata Misaki Light, N. 58° E., 4.5 miles; 103 

 fathoms. 



Type-specimen.— C&t. No. 30051, U.S.N.M. 



