51 



Thesea gemmata Verrill ' would not be included in the genus as defined here. The genus Thesea 

 is separated from Miiricea as at present defined by not having calyces with a bilobed margin. 



1. Thesea simplex new species. (Plate VIII, figs. 2, 2a\ Plate XX, fig. 9). 



Stat. 49*. 8°23'.5S., II9°4'.6E. Sapeh Strait. 69 meters. Coral and shells. 



Stat. 108. 6° io'.3 N., i2i°32'E. Sulu Sea, 73 meters. 



Stat. 260. 5° 36'.5 S., I32°55'.2E. Near Kei Islands. 90 meters. Sand, coral and shells. 



Colony (fragmentary) consisting of two long disconnected branches 19.5 cm. and 16.7 cm. 

 in length. They are but 1.2 mm. in diameter, and both are incomplete. The calyces are 

 irregularly distributed on all sides of the branches, the intervals between them varying from 

 less than i mm. to more than 2 mm. 



The individual calyces are rounded verrucce or domes, averaging 1.5 mm. in height and 

 the same in diameter. The caly.K walls are beset with thorny points which are processes from 

 rather large unilateral spindles and discs which are embedded in the coL'nenchyma in such a 

 way that the upper expanded thorny side overlaps the inner and lower side of the spicule 

 above. These thorny points tend to encircle the wall in whorls. The polyp is wholly retractile, 

 so much so that the calycular margin closes over them entirely, leaving no evident opening. 

 The operculum is rather feebly developed, consisting of slender spindles disposed longitudinally 

 along the dorsal surfaces of the infolded tentacles. There is a very delicate collaret, apparently 

 composed of a single circlet of slender spindles. The casnenchyma is thin and filled with 

 horizontally disposed spindles which average longer than those in the calyx walls, but are 

 more slender. 



Spicules. The most characteristic forms are the unilateral spindles or discs, which are 

 unsymmetrical, having one side produced into spinous processes of various sorts. Clubs, stars, 

 and double stars are also present, as well as regular spindles. There are a few forms characteristic 

 of the genus Acainptogorgia^ but they are small, and form an insignificant feature of the spiculation. 



Color. The colony, in alcohol, is light buffy brown, the axis very dark brown, and 

 the spicules colorless. 



In two other specimens the spicules are light yellowish. 



2. TJicsea pallida new species. (Plate VIII, figs. 3, 3<j! ; Plate XX, fig. 10). 



Stat. 204. 4°2o'S., 122° 58' E. near Island Buton. 75^94 meters. Sand. 



Stat. 274. 5°28'.2S., 1 34° 53'. 9 E. near Am Islands. 57 meters. Sand and stones. 



Stat. 310. 8°3o'S., ii9°7'.5E. Flores Sea. -jt, meters. Sand. 



Colony (incomplete) flabellate in form, 10.6 cm. in height, and with a diameter of 3.3 cm. 

 The portion not denuded of calyces consists of one of the main branches given off 1.9 cm. 

 from the base of the stem, projecting at right angles with the stem but afterwards bending 

 abruptly unwards. It gives off three denuded stubs of branches from its proximal part, the first 



American Journal of Science and Arts, Vol. .\1A'111, i86g, p. 42S. 



