THE ALC YON ARIA OF THE MALDIVES. 815 



There are in all ten or eleven specimens varying in length from 240 — 300 mm. Two of 

 them are adherent to stones with a small disc of attachment. 



As in so many other cases, I had some hesitation in placing these specimens in any of 

 the known genera. They seem to differ from Mnricella in being much less ramified and in 

 having much smaller spicules. They agree better in the character and size of their spicules 

 with the genus Stenogorgia (Verrill), but this genus is more robust and much more ramified. 

 They differ fi-om the description of Filigella gracilis given by Gray in two particulars. Gray 

 describes the axis as "rather rigid"; the axes of these specimens are very flexible. Gray further 

 describes the verrucae to be 1 inch or f inch apart; they are much closer set in these 

 specimens. 



The specimens agree much more closely with the description given by Studer of Elasmo- 

 gorgia filiformis, but our specimens are rather more delicate and the spicules much smaller. 

 The spicules of Elasmogorgia filiformis are from 0-13 to 0-62 mm. in length, whereas in our 

 specimens they rarely e.Kceed 0'2 mm. in length and the great majority are not over '15 mm. 

 in length. They differ moreover in having fewer and coarser tubercles. 



There can be little doubt that this is a new sjiecies, and it can be easily distinguished 

 by the size and character of the spicules. 



Elasmogorgia filiformis (Studer) was found in 28 fathoms S. of Papua, Filigella gracilis 

 (Gray) off Cape Frio, Patagonia. 



All the specimens are unbranched except one, and this gives off only a single branch at 

 right angles to the main stem. The average diameter of the stem is between 0'5 and 1 mm., 

 and at the free extremity there is a knob-like swelling 12 mm. in diameter very similar to 

 that shown in Filigella by Gray. The coenenchym is thin but not transparent. The verrucae 

 project slightly from the coenenchym and completely enclose the calices. Their longest diameter, 

 that parallel to the axis, is 1 mm. They are situated at distances of 2 or 3 mm. apart, and 

 are not arranged in definite rows on opposite sides of the stem, but are irregularly distributed 

 round it. The spicules of the coenenchym are stout, rough, irregular, warty spicules of various 

 sizes, usually 0'15 mm. in length, but rarely exceeding 0'2 mm. x '08 mm. In the tentacles 

 there are a few delicate needles. 



The axis is brown to dark-brown in colour and quite devoid of lime. 



The colour of all the specimens is white. 



Muricella j^erramosa Ridley (18). 



Localities. S. Nilandu, 30 fathoms. S. passage of Atoll, 1 specimen. Suvadiva Atoll, 

 33 fathoms. In passage, 2 specimens. 



Several species have been placed in this genus, but few of them have been at all 

 adequately described. Muricella huniosa (Esper) and Muricella tuberculata (Esper) were pro- 

 bably obtained in the East Indies. 



The specimens from the Maldives agree most closely however with Muricella perramosa 

 from Mauritius, 90 fathoms, described by Ridley (18). 



The specimens are all small, being 80, 60 and 40 mm. respectively in height. Ridley's 

 largest specimen was 500 mm. in height by 475 mm. in extreme breadth. It is noteworthy 

 G. II. 105 



