112 



32. Dendropliyllia {Coenopsammia) amphelioides n. sp. 



This species is very closely related to, if it is not identical 

 with, Coenopsammia scillce Seguenza (Mem. Accacl. Sci. Torino, 

 2 ser. XXL 1864, p. 519, tav. XIV. fig. 2). Like Dendrophyllia 

 profunda Pourt., it at first sight strongly simulates an Amphihelia, 

 tor wkicli in my preliminary sorting of the collection I mistook it. 



Colony dendroid, gemmation taking place near the calicular 

 margin and being alternately distichous or, more commonly, 

 dichotomous leaviug the parent calicle immersed and more or less 

 compressed between two branches, as in Cyathohelia. The openings 

 of the calicles all tend to face one way, and are commonly 

 circular (except in the axils). 



Costal striations all equally distinct, in the form of finely scabrous 

 vermicular ridges traversing the whole length of the colony. 



The calicles after budding are little prominent, or even almost 

 immersed: they are deep and empty-looking owing to the shal- 

 lowness of the septa. 



Septa approximately equal, elegantly notching the somewhat 

 tumid margin of the calicle but not exsert, not encroaching on 

 the calicular fossa. They are in six regular systems and three 

 cycles: those of the third cycle usually unite with those of the 

 second near the columella, but those of the first cycle usually 

 remain independent. 



Columella deep-seated, always present, but variable in size, 

 spongy and crisp. 



Diameter of calicles about 4 millim. 



From D. profunda Pourt. this species is distinguished by the 

 following characters : 



(1) the corallites all face, or tend to face, one way, leaving 

 one face of the dendroid colony quite bare ; 



(2) the budding is frequently dichotomous, with a corallite sunk 

 in the axil between two branches, and after budding, the corallites 

 project very little; 



