tendency toward the formation of eight marginal projections by the aggregation of several of 

 these points into bundles. This occurs cpiite regularly in cases where the polyp is partially 

 expanded, thus spreading open the apex of the cone. There is a distinct collaret of red spicules, 

 and an operculum of slender red spindles arranged en chevron. The distal parts of the 

 infolded tentacles also bear a few longitudinal spindles. 



Spicules. These are all typical tuberculate spindles, the largest of which are embedded 

 in the ccenenchyma of the stem and branches and sometimes attain a length of 2.5 mm. 



Color. The colony is deep crimson red throughout, including the spicules. 



General distribution. The type was secured from near the Mauritius Islands, at 

 a depth of 90 fathoms. The Challenger specimens were from the Hyalonema grounds, off Japan. 

 Depth 345 fathoms. 



5. JMuricella stcllata new species. (Plate V, figs. 1, \a). 



Stat. 65\ Very near 7°o' S., 120° 34'. 5 E. 300 — 400 meters. Pale gray sand, changing during 

 haul into coral bottom. 



Colony (incomplete and much broken) flabellate in form, 9.8 cm. in height and with a 

 spread of 9.6 cm. The basal part of the specimen is missing. The remainder divides 9 cm. 

 from its proximal end into two very unequal parts, one being a short forked branch, and the 

 other giving off two large compound branches which form by far the greater part of the colony. 

 These branches are sinuous, and even slightly geniculate ; the lower one giving off three 

 branchlets from its upper side, and the other bifurcating 1.2 cm. from its origin, the resultant 

 branchlets giving off irregularly disposed twigs mostly from their outer sides. In one case 

 branchings of the fifth order are attained. The calyces are lateral in position, and rather 

 regularly alternate, being spaced by a distance of about 2 mm. on the average. The branches 

 end in polyps. 



The individual calyces are conical in shape when lateral, and tubular when terminal. 

 The former measure about 1.3 mm. in height and 1.7 mm. in diameter at base. The terminal 

 calyces are quite long and tubular, being apparently coextensive with the branch termination 

 itself. They attain a length of 2.8 mm. and a diameter of 1.5 mm. The calyx walls are filled 

 with regular spindles irregularly placed, but most often vertical in position, the spindles being 

 smaller than those in the coenenchyma of the stem and branches. The polyps are retractile, 

 but ordinarily rest with the collaret on the calyx margin, where the tentacle bases form a high 

 rosette- shaped mass. The polyp body is armed with vertical spindles. The collaret is formed 

 of a single circlet of spindles, while the operculum is in the form of an eight-pointed star, when 

 viewed from above. It is composed of relatively heavy spindles arranged en chevron on the 

 basal parts of the tentacles, and covering the distal parts with longitudinally disposed spicules. 



Spicules. These are all densely tuberculated spindles, those in the ccenenchyma being 

 very stout and fitting together as they often do in Acis. They sometimes attain a length of 

 2.7 mm. and a diameter of .8 mm. 



SlIldC.A-KXI'liDlTIE XIIl/'. 5 



