the calyx spicules; but here, again, there is a wide difference between the characteristic spicules 

 of the two genera. 



Perhaps the closest relationship, however, is with the genus Acis^ with which Placo- 

 S^orgia almost intergrades in some cases by possessing large scales that approach the size of 

 those found in Acts, as in the case of Placogorgia sqjiamata. In this species, however, there 

 is a more evident imbrication of the calyx spicules than is found in Acis. 



I. Placogorgia ailantica Wright and Studer. 



Placogorgia atlantica Wright and Studer. CHiallenger Reports, the Alcyonaria, 1S89, p. 114. 



Stat. 15. 7°2'.6S., ii5°23'.6E. near Kangeang Islands. 100 meters. Coral sand. 

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



Colony flabellate in form, 7.4 cm. in height and 10.3 cm. in width. The main stem 

 gives off a short branch 9 mm. from its base, and another on the same side about i cm. 

 above the first. Shortly above this latter it divides into three parts, the central one being 

 erect and unbranched, the others being lateral, branched in a rudely alternate manner, and 

 sometimes reaching the fifth order of branching. 



The calyces are mainly lateral and roughly alternate in position, and are ordinarily about 

 I mm. apart, although in some places the branches are bare for as much as six mm. 



The individual calyces are subconical in shape, a typical one measuring a little less 

 than I mm. in height and 1.5 mm. in diameter. The calyx walls are filled with imbricating 

 thin plates or Stachelplatten with jagged irregular edges projecting outward and upward. The 

 distal row of these plates sends up a jagged irregular row of processes around the calyx 

 margin. The polyps are retractile, and when retracted the operculum rests well below the 

 margin. The collaret is slender and the operculum is composed of the ordinary three spindles, 

 which are small in size, and therefore the different flaps of the operculum leave well-marked 

 spaces between them. The whole of these spaces form a ro.sette-shaped figure when viewed 

 from above. The ccenenchyma of the stem and branches is filled with short spindles, blunt at 

 the ends, which lie generally in a longitudinal direction. 



Spicules. These are mainly of two types. The first kind is found in the calyx walls, 

 and consists of variously branched plates, the lobular or sharp projections from the sides 

 forming the points seen in the calyx walls, the remainder of each spicule being buried. The 

 second sort of spicule is the blunt-ended spindle found mainly in the coenenchyma of the stem 

 and branches. Besides these two main types there are a few crosses, .stars, daggers, etc. 



Color. The colony is dark grayish brown, the a.xis dark brown, the spicules colorless. 



General distribution. The type and only previously known specimen, was secured 

 at St. Paul's Rock, Atlantic Ocean. Depth 80 fathoms. 



2. Placogorgia caiiipafuilifcra new species. (Plate XI, figs. 3, 3^; Plate XXI, fig. 13). 

 Stat. 47. Bay of Binia. 55 meters. Mud with sand. 



