88 



H. (Astromtiricea) theophilasi (Germanos), H. torttiosa Verrill, H. verrilli Thomson and Henderson, 

 and the new species in the Siboga collection. 



I. Heterogorgia ramosa (Thomson and Henderson). 



Hcterogorgia ramosa Thomson and Henderson. Ceylon Pearl Oyster Report, the Alcyonaria, 

 1905, p. 291. 



Stat. 50. Bay of Badjo, West coast of Floras. Up to 40 meters. Mud, sand, shells. 



Stat. 165. Anchorage on North-east side of Daram Island (False Pisangs), East coast of Misool. 



49 meters. Coral. 



Stat. 250. Anchorage off Kilsuin, West coast of Kur Island. 20 — 45 meters. Coral. 



Stat. 257. In Duroa Strait, Kei Islands. To 52 meters. Coral and Lithothamnion. 



Stat. 258. Tual Anchorage, Kei Islands. 22 meters. Lithothamnion. 



Slat. 273. Jedan Island. Aru-Islands. 113 meters. Sand and shells. 



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



Colony flabellate and reticulate in form, 15.5 cm. in height and 12 cm. in width. The 

 main stem is straight for the greater part of its length, slightly flattened, its greater diameter 

 being 4 mm. It gives off a pair of opposite branches 2.6 cm. from its base, and a number of 

 other lateral branches above this, some of which are alternate and some opposite. These branches 

 themselves divide into branches of the fifth order. The branches average about 8 mm. apart, 

 and the twigs terminate in swollen ends. The calyces are thickly distributed on all sides of the 

 stem and branches, are often contiguous and seldom more than .5 mm. apart. 



The individual calyces are verruciform or dome-shaped, a typical one measuring .8 mm. 

 in height and 1.4 mm. in diameter. Its walls are studded with blunt points projecting upward 

 and outward, and the margin is surrounded by a circlet of such points. The polyps are completely 

 retractile and the margins of the calyces can be drawn together so as to conceal them ; but 

 ordinarily the tentacles are visible. The collaret and operculum are composed of very slender 

 and delicate spindles, the latter covering but a small portion of the base of each tentacle and 

 leaving the greater part of the tentacular surface bare. 



Spicules. The spicules are of various types, as is usual in this genus, the most 

 characteristic forms being stars and multiradiate forms, often more or less unsymmetrical, one 

 of the rays being longer and smoother than the others and projecting from the coenenchyma 

 when in situ. Occasional regular spindles occur which are much larger than the other spicules. 

 These lie in the coenenchyma between the calyces. 



Color. The colony is dull dark red. The spicules are bright scarlet. 



General distribution. The type was found in the Ceylon Sea. 



Dried- specimens of this form are found in the Siboga collection, in one case attaining 

 a height of 24 cm. and a spread of 22 cm. The specimens agree well with the original description 

 of the species and the figures of the spicules. 



*2. Heterogorgia verrucosa Verrill. 



Heterogorgia verrucosa Verrill. American Journal of Science and Arts, XIV, 1868, p. 414. 



