54 

 5- TJiesea flexilis new species. (Plate IX, figs. 4, \a\ Plate XXI, fig. 3). 



Stat. 260. 5°36'.5 S., 132° 55'. 2 E. near Kei Islands. 90 meters. Sand, coral and shells. 

 Stat. 285. 8°39'. iS., 127° 4'.4 E. Timor Sea. 34 meters. Mud and coral. 



Colony an unbranched flexible stem 40.5 cm. long. The calyces are sj^arsely distributed 

 throughout its length, being from i mm. to 3 mm. apart. The stem is about the same diameter 

 throughout, being about 1.2 mm. in thickness and round in section. It is exceedingly flexible, 

 and it is difficult to tell its proximal from its distal end. 



The individual calyces are low verrucje, sometimes dome-shaped or even conical. They 

 are about .9 mm. in height and have a diameter of 1.4 mm. at the base. Their walls are 

 ornamented with numerous .sharp, vertical thorn-like points arising from the sides of unilateral 

 spicules, the other sides being comparatively devoid of such points, although densely tuberculate. 

 The polyps are completely retractile, and the' calyx margins can fold over them so as to 

 conceal them. The condition of the operculum is hard to determine in the specimens at hand; 

 but it is feebly developed, as is the collaret. 



Spicules. These are of two distinct types, ist. The unilateral spindles and scales with 

 conspicuous jagged points projecting from one side. 2nd. Comparatively large and heavy .spindles, 

 usually symmetrical, but not seldom showing a tendency to being unilateral. These lie longitudinally 

 in the cctnenchyma of the stem and branches, and remind one of the large spindles found in 

 the genus Miiricella. Besides these two predominating forms there are a few clubs, branched 

 and radiate forms, and occasionally one of the characteristic Acainptogorgia type. 



Color. The color is a rather bright yellow, and the spicules are the same. This species 

 bears a great superficial resemblance to Miiricella, but the unilateral spicules indicate that it 

 should be placed here. 



6. Thesca placoderina new species. (Plate IX, figs. 3, yx; Plate XXI, fig. 2). 

 Stat. 310. 8°3o'S., ii9°7'.5E. Plores Sea. Jt^ meters. Sand. 



Colony flabellate in form, 7.5 cm. in height and with a spread of 6.4 cm. A large branch 

 has evidently been broken off near the base of the main .stem, and 9 mm. above this the main 

 stem forks into two appro.ximately ecjual portions. Each of these branches in a flabellate manner 

 until branchings of the fourth order are attained. The average distance between branches is 

 about 4 mm. The calyces are distributed on all sides of the branches, are quite closely appro.ximated 

 and often contiguous. They are seldom more than 2 mm. apart. The branch terminations are 

 swollen with thickly crowded calyces, none of which appear to be terminal. 



The individual calyces are roughly conical or verruciform, their shape being obscured 

 by the very conspicuous and irregular spicules in their walls. The height of a typical calyx is 

 I.I mm. and its diameter at the base is 1.5 mm. The walls are composed mainly of large 

 plate-like imbricating spicules from the upper sides of which very heavy thorn-like processes 

 project upward and outward. These plates are so large and irregularly disposed as to greatly 

 distort the shape of the calyx. The margin is surrounded by the thorny processes mentioned 



