25 



a rudely geniculate course, is round in section and has a diameter near base of 7.5 cm. 

 From this main stem arise a few larger branches roughly alternating, and many smaller twigs. 

 These anastomose vevy extensively, forming a close network the meshes of which vary greatly 

 in size. The smaller twigs, forming the mesh, are round in section and have a rather uniform 

 diameter of about 1.5 mm. The network extends clear to the periphery of the colony and the 

 tips of the free twigs are not appreciably enlarged at the ends. The calyces are small and 

 are distributed on all .sides of the branches, but appear to be absent from the main stem and 

 proximal parts of the larger branches. They are quite evenly distributed, averaging about i mm. 

 from mouth to mouth. 



The individual calyces are very low dome-shaped verruca:, a typical one measurmg 

 about .7 mm. in diameter and showing eight distinct marginal lobes. The calyx walls are 

 filled with minute round or oval spicules. When the polyp is entirely retracted the calyx is 

 completely included. The polyps are minute, disk-shaped when retracted, and have their infolded 

 tentacles armed with a dorsal series of longitudinally disposed spindles. 



A cross section of a branch shows a moderate coenenchyma and an axis composed of 

 agglutinated spindles with smooth surfaces and a horny investment which coalesces freely with 

 others. The axis is not penetrated by water-vascular canals, these being confined to a circlet 

 in the coenenchyma. 



Spicules. As in other species of this genus these are of two sharply distinguished 

 forms, i^' the long, often bent spindles with smooth surfaces and horny investment which 

 coalesces to form the axis; and, 2"'^, spindles varying from nearly round or oval forms to the 

 typical terete spindle, and having their surfaces ornamented by regular verruca; in well defined 

 whorls. A few double wheels are also seen. 



Color. The entire colony is a dull grayish brown. 



General distribution. The type locality is not known; but was given, apparently 

 at a guess, by Esper as the West Indies, which is extremely improbable. It is reported from 

 the Northwest coast of Australia by Studer, and the Challenger secured it from the Hyalonema 

 grounds, off Japan, 345 fathoms. A very large specimen from Station 307 measures 77.5 cm. 

 in height and 52 cm. in diameter. The color of this specimen, which is dried, is earthy brown. 



2. Siiberogorgia ornata Thomson and Simpson. 



Suberogorgia ornata Thomson and Simpson. Alcyonarians ofthcIndianOcean.il, 1909, p. 164. 



Stat. 81. Pulu Sebangkatan, Borneo Bank. 34 meters. Coral bottom and Lithothamnion. 

 Stat. 220. Anchorage off Pasir Pandjang, west coast of Binongka. 278 meters. Coral sand. 

 Stat. 257. Duroa Strait, Kei Islands. Up to 52 meters. Coral. 



Colony flabellate and reticulate, 1 i cm. in height and about 6.5 cm. in diameter. The 

 stem and branches are not appreciably flattened and are without evident median grooves. The 

 main stem grows from an encrusting base and is 2 mm. in diameter and 7.5 mm. long to 

 the first branch. This branch extends outward and then upward, bears a number of lateral 

 branches, one of which is compound, and is connected with the rest of the colony through 



SIBOGA-E.\PEDITIE f.\\\b''. 4 



