16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.43. 



DENDRONEPHTHYA MAGNACANTHA, new species. 

 Plate 2, figs. 2, 2a; plate 17, fig. 5. 



Colony small, but 2.1 cm. in height and 1 cm. in width. The stalk 

 is 1.3 cm. long, 3.5 mm. in diameter, and is overlaid with large white, 

 bent spindles vertically disposed. Some of these large spindles are 

 as much as 4.5 mm. in length. 



The head consists of a dense mass of heavily spiculated polyps, each 

 consisting of a distinct pedicel and polyp head. The stalk is abruptly 

 bent just below the head so that the tentacles usually face downward. 

 If straightened out, the whole would be about 6 mm. in length; stalk 

 or pedicel, being about 4 mm. in height, and the head 2 mm. high 

 and 2.5 in diameter. The stalk bears on its convex surface a bundle 

 of very strong white spicules about 3.5 mm. long and 2 to 4 in number. 

 The points of one or two of these large spicules usually project be- 

 yond the polyp head, and a few shorter spindles are longitudinally 

 arranged on the sides of the stalk; but there are none on the ventral 

 or concave side of the stalk or pedicel. 



There is a very strong collaret of curved white spindles below the 

 tentacle bases disposed in one or two circular rows. Often these 

 spindles are bent at the middle so that the convex or upper side lies 

 over the tentacle bases. 



The tentacles are armed with bent longitudinal spindles, two of 

 which are usually placed with their proximal ends divaricated (em- 

 bracing the tentacle bases) and their distal ends approximated so as 

 to form a point directed toward the center of the mass of infolded 

 tentacles. This pair of spicules is usually a little over 1 mm. in 

 length, and is often reenforced by one to three smaller white spindles. 

 The distal ends of the tentacles bear a number of comparatively 

 small, even minute, spindles, irregularly disposed; but tending to be 

 transversely placed near the tips of the tentacles and longitudinally 

 arranged nearer the base. 



Spicules: These are all^ densely tuberculate spindles, many of them 

 unusually stout and heavy, showing white when in situ. 



Color: The stalk is buffy-yellow, overlaid with white spindles. The 

 polyps are chocolate-brown, overlaid with wliite spicules. 



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

 103 fathoms (type;. Station 5070; Ose Saki,S. 8°W., 1.8 miles; 108 

 fathoms. 



Type-specimen.— C&t. No. 30090, U.S.N.M. 



This species is very different from any other DendronepTitTiya in the 

 collection, and is quite striking in color, the white spicules being well 

 set off in contrast with the bufty and chocolate color of the stalks and 

 polyp heads. 



