ALCYONARIANS. BRIGGS. 77 



The calyx spicules are colourless, flat scales, transversely 

 elongate, 8-shaped, and irregular. The following measure- 

 ments of the length and breadth in millimetres were taken : — • 

 •192X-113; •175X-122; •157x-105; •140x-087; -105 x 

 •087. Their free edge is deeply dentate ; simple warts are 

 scattered over the surface, and the border round the exposed 

 portion of the scale bears fine radiating ridges. A low eight- 

 rayed operculum is formed by similar scales. There are 

 also somewhat flattened, curved spindles, with the convex 

 side produced into a number of sharp projecting warts — 

 •192 X •052mm. ; -175 x ■043mm. ; •157 x •035mm. ; -149 x 

 •035mm. 



The spicules of the coenenchyma are (1) stout spindles 

 with prominent warts — 113 x •070mm.; -122 x •070mm. ; 

 •105 x052mm.; ^096 x •052mm. ; and (2) capstan-like 

 forms and small irregular bodies — ^105 x-061mm. ; ^087 x 

 •070mm. ; ^070 x •052mm. ; -052 x •035mm. 



The colour of the colonies is creamy-white. 



Position. — This species agrees in many respects with 

 Mopsea whiteleggei, Thomson and Mackinnon^ but is dis- 

 tinguished from that species by (1) the invariable arrange- 

 ment of the polyps in close-wound spirals round the twigs, 

 (2) the smaller number of scales in the abaxial rows of the 

 polyp calyx, and (3) the quite different type of spicules. 



Localities. — South Australian Coast. 



Fifteen miles south of St. Francis Island, Nuyt Archi- 

 pelago, Great Australian Bight, 30 fathoms. 



Thirty-six miles S. 58° W. of Cape Wickham, King 

 Island, Bass Strait, 72-80 fathoms. 



Mopsea repens, sp. nov. 



(Plate iv., fig. 2 ; Plate viii.) 



This species is based on several branching specimens, of 

 which the largest is 13-5cm. in height, with a spread of 

 14-5cm. across the expanded portion. The branching is 

 strictly confined to one plane. The basal attachment of 

 the stem is missing. Branching begins at a height of l-4cm., 

 and is very luxuriant. The main stem is bent in a zigzag 

 manner, forming an angle wherever branches arise. The 



1. Thomson and Mackinnon — Mem. Austr. Mus., iv., 13, 1911, p. 678, 

 pi. Ixvi., figs. 2 and 3, jjI. Ixxiii. 



