Spindles en chevron on tentacle bases, but not on calyx walls. 

 No true crown of points. Spicules not all regular spindles. 



Twigs without strictly terminal polyps • • • Muriceides 



A crown of points present. Spicules all spindles Anthogorgia 



Spindles nowhere arranged en chevron. 

 Spicules all in form of spindles. 



Spindles very large and heavy, sometimes taking the form of enormous 

 squarish plates or scales. 

 Spindles of coenenchyma in two distinct layers, the outer layer being 



the larger Versluysia 



Spindles of coenenchyma not in two distinct layers, their edges often 



fitted as in mosaic work Acis 



Spicules not excessively heavy or enlarged. 



Colony flabellate or reticulate Menacella 



Colony simple or sparingly branched, not reticulate Elasmogorgia 



Calyces with certain forms of characteristic spicules of "Generic Types". 



Calyx spicules resembling frilled collar-buttons. [Bebryce type) Bebryce 



Calyx spicules with conspicuous tooth-like points on one side only. [Thcsca 



type) Thesea 



Calyx spicules with a thorn-like distal part, and a basal mass of radiating 



tuberculate and branching processes {Echijtoinuricea type) .... Echinomuricea 



Calyx spicules with a distal cluster of foliaceous smooth expansions, and a 



basal mass of radiating and tuberculate processes. {Eckinogoi'gia type). Echinogorgia 



Calyx spicules imbricating discs or "Stachelplatten", the former often with 



ctenate edges. {P lacogorgia type) Placogorgia 



Calyx spicules with spindle-like bases from which arise one or two foliar 



or plate like expansions. [Acamptogorgia type) Acamptogorgia 



Calyx spicules mostly radiate forms of several kinds. 

 Triradiate and quadriradiate forms predominating. 



Calyces in the form of short cylinders Villogorgia 



Calyces very low Verrucae which are oval in cross section Menella 



Multiradiate spicules predominating, many being double stars. 



A crown of points formed of processes from the radiate spicules of 



Hetcrogorgia type Heterogorgia 



It is not claimed that the above table will prove satisfactory in all cases; but it is hoped 

 that it will prove a convenience in identifying genera in most cases, and thus save the time of 

 the investigator. 



