19 



Spicules. The most numerous form is a small warty, more or less curved spindle. 

 The crown spicules are not prominent; but are of the true Acanthogorgia type. Crosses and 

 triradiate forms are common, especially in the stem and branches. Occasionally small branched 

 spicules approach the form of "Stachelplatten". 



Color. The calyces and coenenchyma are white in alcohol, but the golden brown axis 

 shows through the latter, giving a dusky tint. 



General distribution. The type was from Adder Atoll, Maldive Archipelago. 

 2 ^ fathoms. 



The Siboga specimens agree very well with the original description. 



9. Acanthogorgia ccyloncnsis Thomson and Henderson. 



Acanthogorgia ceyloiiensis Thomson and Henderson. Ceylon Pearl Oyster Reports, Alcyonaria, 

 1905, p. 290. 



Slat. 47. Bay of Bima. 55 meters. Mud with coral sand. 



Stat. 144. Anchorage North of Salomakie (Damar) Island. 45 meters. Coral. 



Stat. 257. In Du-Roa Strait, Kei Islands. 52 meters. Lithothamnion. 



Stat. 2S9. 9°o'.3S., 126° 24. 5 E. Timor Sea. 112 Meters. Mud, sand and shells. 



Colony flabellate in form, with distal branches anastomosing to a moderate degree. 

 Height II cm. Breadth 14 cm. Branches rather profuse, the main branches showing a tendency 

 to become geniculate, giving off alternate branches at the geniculations. 



While the general form of the colony is flabellate, some of the branches are given off 

 from the front of the colony. The calyces are sparsely distributed, and show a distinct tendency 

 to a bilateral arrangement, and in places are quite regularly alternate, giving much the appearance 

 of the hydroid genus Sertularclla. The stems and branches are quite extensively denuded. 



The individual calyces are quite small for this genus, seldom e.xceeding i mm. in height. 

 They are columnar in form, and of almost even diameter throughout, except a sligt expansion 

 at the tentacle bases; the diameter being about equal to the height. The crown of spicules is 

 not conspicuous, indeed it is ordinarily scarcely evident; but can be seen on an occasional calyx. 

 The spindles which constitute the crown curve inwards more than ordinarily, bending over, a 

 pair to each tentacle, and forming a strong protection. The tentacles have tuberculate spindles 

 on their exposed surfaces. 



Spicules. The crown spindles are not well differentiated, being simply curved spindles 

 without sharp distinction between the proximal and distal parts. The calyx walls are covered 

 wäth tuberculate spindles en chevron, their distal ends often projecting in dried specimens. 

 The basal portion of the walls often have spindles arranged almost horizontally. The coenen- 

 chyma is thin, with numerous tuberculate spindles, and also cro.sses, triradiate forms, and irregular 

 spindles and plates. 



Color. The calyces are very light brown, almost white, in alcohol. The stem is dark 

 golden brown proximally, fading distally to almost white. 



General distribution. The type was secured off Trincomalee, Ceylon. 



