89 



Heterogorgia verrucosa Verrill. Transactions Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 

 Vol. I, part 2, 1867 — 71, p. 451. 



Pulu Missa near Flores; de Siso don. 



Colony flabellate, not regularl)' reticulate, although there are a few anastomoses. Height 

 25.5 cm. Spread 29.5 cm. The main stem is round and decorticated basally, 2.5 cm. in diameter. 

 It gives off a large branch 1.6 cm. from its base, and another, on the opposite side, 9 mm. 

 above this. 6 mm. above this latter branch the stem breaks up into three parts and looses 

 its identity. The branches are thicker than in other .species of the genus, being about 4 cm. 

 in diameter, and are tortuous. They give off numerous side branches which continue to divide 

 until branches of the sixth order are sometimes attained. Most of the twigs end in swollen 

 terminations. None of the branches are appreciably flattened. The calyces are distributed on all 

 sides of the colony, and are about 1.5 mm. apart, on the average. 



The individual calyces are conical in shape, and a typical one measures 2 mm. in height 

 and 3 mm. in diameter at the base, thus being larger than in most species of the genus. The 

 calyx walls are comparatively smooth, but a close inspection under a moderate magnification 

 shows that they are studded with small points projecting upward and outward from stellate 

 and radiate spicules, those around the margin not being more conspicuous than the others. 

 The spicules are not so compactly placed as is often the case, thus giving greater flexibility 

 to the branches. The polyps are retractile, but often rest with their collarets above the margins. 

 The operculum is usually high, subconical, and composed of the usual elements, except that 

 there are more than the usual three spindles to each opercular flap. The collaret is composed 

 of strong spindles disposed in two or three interrupted transverse rows. 



Spicules. All the spicules of this species are small; crosses, stars and multiradiate 

 forms predominating. The rays of the stars are strongly tuberculate, and sometimes branched. 

 A few small, curved spindles are seen, but they are probably from the collarets and opercula. 



Color. The dried specimen is ashy gray. The axis is dark brown. The spicules are 

 light yellowish, almost colorless. 



General distribution. The type was found in the Bay of Panama. 



This handsome species differs from others in the collection in the size of the calyces, 

 which are much larger than in any other species of this genus in the Siboga material. 



3. Heterogorgia inurice/loides new species. (Plate XV, figs. 3, 3^?; Plate XXII, fig. 18). 

 Stat. 47. Bay of Bima, near South Fort. 55 meters. Mud with sand. 



Colony consi-sting of a very long slender stem, 43 cm. in length, giving off four straight 

 simple branches at great but unequal distances from each other and projecting at right angles 

 from the stem. The stem and branches are of about the same diameter throughout. The calyces 

 are found on all sides of the stem and branches, but are very unequally spaced. In general 

 they are distant, averaging perhaps 2 mm. apart. 



The individual calyces are shallow or low Verrucae, or truncated cones, averaging less than 



SIBOr.A-EXPEDITIE XIII Z'. 12 



