Studkr (187S) accepts the ^^emis as originally ilellnrd Iiy X'ai.icnciI'INN'KS, ami in 1SS7 

 he formally defined the genus as follows : 



'^ Gorj^o7U'//a Milne Edwards et ilainu-. Colonii- mannigfach in einer Ebene verzweigt, 

 oft durch Anastomosen der Zweige ein Netzwerk bildend. Kelche niedrig warzenförmig an zwei 

 Seiten der Aste angeordnet. Achse lamellös, radienstreilig. Im C(enencliym warzige I )o|i|)elkugeln 

 und Doppelspindeln". 



\\'k[i;ht and Studkr (1H89) defme the genus practicall\- as just ([uoled. I Ikk.som (1905) 

 points out the difficulty in distinguishing between Gor<roiiclla and Vcrriicc/la. 



The definition adopted for the |)resent work will be as follows : 



Colony flabellate, often rcliculate ; calyces low dome-sha];cd, or low truncated cones; 

 calyces on two or three sides of the branches, usually the former e.\ce]jt on ultimalc branches; 

 ccTcncnchyma thin; a.xis solidly calcareous, without liornx' lamella:; s|)icules doul)le heads, girdled 

 spindles and true spindles. 



The type species ot this genus is Go7'i^onclla sariiiciilosa {\.-a\\vm-zV). Other known species 

 are Gorgonella bianci Kcjch, G. dis/ans .Studer, G. oraiiii/a/a Esper, G. vihiiacca W. and S., 

 G. oricn/alis W. and .S., (J. siricta (Eamk.), G. sarincn/osa (Lamk.), G. iDubclla (Es])er), 

 G. JiDibraciilntii (Ellis and .Solander), G. vcrriciilate Milne Edw. and 1 laime, and the new 

 species of the Siboga collection. 



The writer believes that Nicclla reliciilala and X. />iis//i/osa of Thomson and Snu'Sox 

 (Alc)'onarians ot the Indian ()cean. Vol. 2, 1909, pp. 266, 267) should be included in the 

 Genus Gors^onclla. 'ilieir spicules are typical of thai genus rather tiian of Nicclla. 



I. Gorgonella oriental is Wright and Studer. 



Gorgonella oricnlalis Writjlit and .Studer. ("hallender RL-jjorts, tin; Alc)-<)iiaria, 1889, ]>. 161. 



Stat. 274. 5°28'.2S., I34°53'.9E. 57 meters. 



Stat. 305. Mid channel in Solor Strait off Kampong Mcnanga. 113 meters. 



Stat. 306. 8°27'S., I22°54'.5E. 247 meters. 



Stat. 310. 8°3o'S., ii9°7'.5E. -j-^ meters. 



Colony (fragmentary) llabellate and reticulale in form. The s])ecimen described is the 

 terminal part of a jjranch of a colon)- that was probabl)' much larger. Height 6.1 cm., diameter 

 5.6 cm. The central branch is connected by numerous anastomoses with two others, one on 

 each .side. The diameter of the largest branch is 2.5 mm. This forks 4 mm. above its proximal 

 end and each of the resulting branches gives off s(;veral lateral braiichlets that anastomose 

 freely with branchlets from other branches. Ultimate branchlets from 1.5 mm. to 9 mm. apart. 

 Idle calyses are distributed on three sides of the branches, are thickly emplantcd, and have a 

 tendency to a lateral arrangement. There is no evident longitudinal furrcjw or ridge on the 

 branches. 



The individual calyces are rather low, dome-sha|M;d verruca: with evenly rounded summits 

 and with their walls often contiguous. Their distal ends show a faintl)- indicated ro.sctte or 

 star-shaped pattern, not nearly so evident as in Verrticella. A typical calyx measures .9 mm. 

 in height and has a diameter of i.<S mm. The walls are remarkably thick and tough, consisting 



