8i 



ends, where branchings to the fifth order are sometimes attained. The stem and branches, exxept 

 at the very base of the former, are not appreciably flattened. The branches vary from 4 mm. 

 to 1.5 mm. in diameter. The calyces arc emplanted on all sides of the stem and branches, 

 but are most closely approximated on the terminal twiijs and more widely separated on the 

 main stem, their distance varying from i mm. on the former to 2.5 mm. on the latter. 



The individual calyces are short cylinders, or greatly truncated cones in shape. They are 

 small, a typical one measuring i mm. in height and also in diameter. The calycular walls are 

 filled with the overlapping edges of spicules which are flattened discs with very irregular edges. 

 These often appear in rather regular whorls around the calyces, being less regularly disposed 

 in other places. The margin is surrounded by a circlet of rather prominent bhint points. The 

 polyps are completely retractile, but in some instances they rest with the collaret on the margin. 

 The operculum is elevated and composed of two long, bent, longitudinal spindles on the dorsal 

 surface of each tentacle, with a third shorter one between their bases. 



Spicules. Irregular flattened discs are the dominant forms, their edges being often 

 indented and branched in a very intricate manner, forming true Stachelplatten. One edge of 

 each is exposed on the surface of the calyces, and the other is embedded in the coenenchyma 

 of the walls. The coenenchyma of the stem and branches is filled with similar spicules. Some- 

 times the Stachelplatten assume a radiate form, but are seldom symmetrical stars. There are 

 few, if anv, regular spindles except those forming the opercula. 



Color. The dried colony is dark brown, the polyps being darker than the general 

 surface. The axis is lighter, grayish brown, and the spicules are stained a brownish yellow, and 

 may have been reddish originally. 



7. Placogorgia squai/iafa new species. (Plate XII, figs. 2, 2«; Plate XXII, fig. 8). 



-*" Stat. 43. Pulu Sarassa, Postilion Islands. Up to 36 meters. Coral. 



Stat. 274. 5°28'.2S., I34°53'.9E. near Aru Islands. 57 meters. Sand and stones. 

 Stat. 310. 8° 30' S., 119° 7.5 E. Flores Sea. 73 meters. Sand. 



Colony flabellate, 7 cm. in height and with a spread of 5.3 cm., rigid in habit. Main 

 stem sinuous, nearly straight, giving off its first branch 1.6 cm. from its base. Branches rather 

 regularly alternate, 3 mm. to 9 mm. apart. Most of the branches are .simple, but some of them 

 send oft' alternate branchlets. There are no branchings of the third order. The diameter of the 

 main stem is 2 mm., and of the branches 1.5 mm. The branch terminations are club-shaped, 

 and there are some terminal calyces. The calyces are thickly emplanted on all sides of the 

 branches, being usually contiguous, their apices being liut 1 mm. apart. 



The individual calyces are very low Verrucae, often somewhat oval in cross section, their 

 long diameter being parallel to the branch. They are not more than .8 mm. in height, with a 

 long diameter at base of about 1.5 mm. The calyx walls are covered with quite large imbricating 

 scales with ctenate edges, the edges of the upper row of scales making, with their toothed 

 edges, a fringe of rather blunt small points around the margin. The polyps are completely 

 retractile, the operculum resting well below the calyx margins. The operculum is composed of 



SIEOr.A-EXPEniTIE .\[Il/'. " 



