straight, standing at right angles to the stem and branches. They are columnar in form, 

 expanding slightly at top and bottom. The crown of points is not very conspicuous; but that 

 may be due to the fact that the specimen was preserved in concentrated acetic acid, which has 

 dissolved the spicules. 



The individual calyces attain a height of a little over 2 mm. and a diameter of about 

 I mm. The spindles on the tentacles have been largely dissolved by acid. 



Spicules. These are rather stout spindles, rather straighter that is common in this 

 genus, without decided curve or bow-shape. The spicules forming the crown of points are 

 tuberculate on their distal parts, which are less decidedly differentiated from the proximal portions 

 that is usual in the Aca^iihogorgia type. The spindles in the calyx walls are large and stout, 

 and are arranged en chevron. Just below the tentacle bases they are nearly horizontal in 

 position, except where they project to form the crown of points. The c<Enenchyma is thick, 

 and its spicules are longitudinally placed. 



Color. The colony is medium brown throughout, the calyces not differing appreciably 

 from the stem and branches. The axis has a golden brown lustre. The spicules are colorless. 



This species is near Acanthogorgia laxa Wright and Studer'; but the calyces are 

 much smaller. 



12. Acanthogorgia tiirgida new species. (Plate I, figs. 2, 2«; Plate XIX, fig. 4). 



Stat. 204. 4^20' S., 122° 58' E. near Buton Island. 75 — 94 meters. Sand. 

 Stat. 260. 5°36'.5S., i32°55'.2E. Kei Islands. 90 meters. Sand, coral and shells. 

 Stat. 297. 10° 39' S., 1 23° 40' E. Timor Sea. 520 meters. Mud. 



Colony flabellate in form, the branches rarely anastomosing. Length i i cm., spread 15 cm. 

 The first branch arises about i cm. from the base of the stem, and others arise in an irregularly 

 alternate manner. The lateral branches are very long and profusely branched throughout their 

 distal portions. The calyces are rather evenly distributed on all sides of the stem and branches, 

 and are rather closely approximated. They are short and stout, and more conspicuously spiny 

 than usual. 



The individual calyces are up to 2 mm. in height and are somewhat barrel-shaped, 

 being i mm. in diameter near the middle and but 1.75 mm. at the distal and proximal ends. 

 The crown of points is quite conspicuous, the spicules being numerous and long in proportion 

 to the size of the species. The body walls are filled with spicules arranged en chevron. 



Spicules. The crown spicules are well differentiated into a long, comparatively smooth 

 distal part, and a short basal part; set at an angle with the other portion, and having conspicuous 

 tubero-sities and often jagged processes and branches. Many of the spicules in the calyx walls 

 have their ends projecting upward and outward, giving a very bristling appearance to the 

 calyces. The spicules in the stem and branches are exceedingly varied in character. Small 

 .spindles are common, and there are also numerous jagged irregular plates, crosses, stars, etc., 



Wright and Studer. Challenger Reports, The .\lcyonaria, iS 



