31 



Studer (1878) defines the genus as follows: 



"Stamm einfach oder gabelästig, Warzen kaum vorspringend, in zwei Reihen seitlich am 

 Stamm angeordnet. In der Rinde nur dopple Keulen und Spindeln". 



The same author (1887) gives a slightly extended definition, translated as follows: 



"Colony simple, or with forked branches, thick coenenchyma and scarcely developed 

 calyces which are arranged in two rows. Coenenchyma contains double clubs and spindles". 



This definition is practically repeated by Wricht and Studer (1889) since which time 

 it has apparendy received no further definition. Studkr's last definition may therefore stand as 

 the one here adopted, with the understanding that the "Dopple Keulen" of that writer be 

 interpreted as "double heads" according to the system here used. 



The type of this genus appears to be Ellisclla clojigata (Pallas). Other species are 

 Ellisclla ca/aimts Studer, E. uiacitlata -Stutler, and the single species secured b\- the Siboga 

 E.xpedition. 



I. Ellisclla flava new species (Plate IX, fig. 4, 4<t; Plate XI, fig. 3). 



Stat. 117. i°o'.S N., 122^56' E. So meters. 



Colony fragmentary, the largest piece being 6.5 cm. long, dichotomously branched twice, 

 the first forking being immediately above the proximal end of the specimen. One of the 

 resultant branches is simple and is 4.1 cm. long. The other branch forks 3.7 mm. above its 

 origin, the resulting branchlets being simple, the longer 2.6 mm. and the shorter 1.4 cm. long. 

 The branches are slender with a comparatively uniform diameter of .7 mm. There is a clearly 

 defined furrow along the front of the branches. The calyces are disposed on two opposite 

 sides of the branches, in some places being regularly opposite in position and in others being 

 irregular. The former, however, seems to be the normal arrangement. 



The individual calyces are very low subconical Verrucae appearing as mere swellings 

 along the sides of the branches. A typical calyx measures i.i mm. in its longer diameter (being 

 oval in section) and .6 mm. in height. The margin is feebly marked with eight lobes. The 

 calyx walls are filled with regular spindles which are vertically disposed on the distal parts 

 and point toward the margin. Similar spindles encircle the basal parts and are longitudinally 

 disposed in the coenenchyma of the branches. The tentacle bases are thickly encrusted with 

 smaller spindles disposed longitudinally, as a rule. On the distal parts of the tentacles there 

 is a dorsal band of small transverse spindles. 



The coenenchyma is comparatively thin and the axis is hard, white and calcareous. 



Spicules. The spicules of this form do not have the general facies of the spicules of 

 the GorgonellidcC at all. The most common form by far is the tuberculate spindle, terete in 

 form and almost never with a distinct girdle. The tuberculation is usually quite dense, so as 

 to hide the actual surface of the spicule. There are also a few clubs, crosses, small irregularly 

 branched forms and, very rarely, double heads. 



Color. The colony, in alcohol, is rather bright yellow. 



