27 



proximal end, and a large compound outward and downward projecting branch 1.7 cm. above 

 the stub. The stem is somewhat flattened, with a cross section of _V5 "''"i- X i-8 mm. The 

 large branch bears unsymmetrically disposed branchlets, all from its upper side. Two of these 

 branchlets are close together, nearly parallel, each with a single terminal twig and both consi- 

 derably flattened. One of them has a cross section of 3.2 mm. X i-S mm. The part of the 

 stem above the main branch already described bears two compound and four simple branches 

 on its outer side. The stem and branches bear median grooves on front and back, and the 

 twigs are flattened usually nearly to their tips. The calyces are mainly lateral in position, but 

 there are a few on the front and back of the colony. 



The individual calyces are prominent for this genus, dome-shaped, a tyjsical one measuring 

 1.5 mm. in height and 2 mm. in diameter at the base. The walls are covered with short 

 oval spicules and there is but a faint indication of marginal lobes. The polyps are completely 

 retractile and show a feeble collaret and a few delicate longitudinally disposed spindles on the 

 dorsal surface of the infolded tentacles. 



A cross section of a branch reveals the structure common to the genus, except that the 

 water-vascular canals may be more conspicuous than in other species in the Siboga collection. 



Spicules. The ccenenchyma contains numerous spindles varying from almost round to 

 terete in form. The tubercles are very large and closely crowded, but still are in regular whorls. 

 In some cases girdled spindles are seen. The spicules of the axis are irregular, distorted forms 

 with a heavy envelope and agglutinated into a sort of mesh. They bear no points or Verrucae. 



Color. The colony is orange red, or red brown in color. 



General distribution. Type locality. Hyalonema Grounds, off Japan, 345 fathoms. 

 It has also been reported (as variety ccylonerisis) from the Ceylon Seas and from the Andamans 

 in the Indian Ocean. 



4. Siiberogoi'gia riibi'a Thomson and Henderson. 



Suberogorgia riibra Thomson and Henderson. Ceylon Pearl Oyster Report. Appendix to the 

 Alcyonaria, 1905, p. 172. 



Stat. 133. Anchorage off Lirung, Salibabu Island. Up to 36 meters. Mud and hard sand. 



Stat. 260. 5°36'.5S., 132° 55'. 2 E. 90 meters. Sand, coral and shells. 



Stat. 301. iO°38'S., I23°25'.2E. 22 meters. Mud, coral and Lithothamnion. 



Colony flabellate, so profusely and finely branched as to give a false appearance of 

 reticulation although anastomoses are few. Specimen 30.5 cm. high and with a spread of about 

 2 1 cm. The stem and branches are round in section and show but slight indications of the 

 median grooves so common in this genus. The main stem is 4.5 mm. in diameter and tortuous 

 in its course. 2.2 cm. from its base it sends off a large branch which is tortuous and gives 

 off a number of lateral branchlets, 5 of which are compound. 3.7 cm. above this branch the 

 main stem divides into two subequal parts, each of which bears numerous lateral branchlets 

 some of which subdivide until brachings of the 6''' order are reached. There is a tendency 

 toward a lateral arrano-ement of branchlets. 



