44 



Studer (1889) gives a very brief characterization of this genus. 



" Acabai'ia Gr. Wie Mopsclla^ aber die Spicula der Rinde sind nur Spindeln". 



KüKEXTHAL (1908) gives a satisfactory definition, as indicated in the following translation : 



"Branching flabellate, dichotomous, branches originating at the nodes. Branches very 

 slender, slightly or not at all flattened. Internodes not pierced by water-vascular canals. Polyps 

 retractile within large calyces, biserially arranged and usually widely spaced. Spicules never 

 foliaceous clubs". 



The type species of this genus is Acabaria divaricata Gray. Other described species 

 are Acabaria anstralis Gray, A. biserialisY^v^'Ca.., A. corymbosa¥^\^'<i}\., A. crythracca i^.\v(&v\:)'.), 

 A. frondosa (Brundin), A. graci/liiiia (Ridley), A. habereri Kukth., A. japonica \'errill, 

 A. philippinensis (Wright and Studer), A. serrata Ridley, A. temiis Ktikth., A. tnididafa 

 Kiikth., A. valdivio' Kukth., and the new species described in the present work. 



I. Acabaria philippinensis (Wright and Studer). 



Melitodcs philippinensis Wright and Studer. Challenger Reports, the Alcyonana, 1889, p. 176. 

 Melitodes pliilippinensis Thomson and Simpson. Alcyonarians of the Indian Ocean, II, 1909, 

 p. 172. 



Stat. 310. 8° 30' S., 1 19° 7'. 5 E. 73 meters. Sand, with a few pieces of dead coral. 



Specimens flabellate, the largest being a fragment 6.2 cm. long and about 4 cm. in 

 spread. Stem and branches round. Main stem 2.1 mm. in diameter and 1.5 cm. long to first 

 branch. The first complete node is 4 mm. long and 3 mm. in diameter, and a distal one is 

 1.2 mm. long. The proximal internode is i cm. long and 2 mm. in diameter, while a distal 

 internode is 1.4 cm. long and 8 mm. in diameter. The branching is irregularly dichotomous 

 and the furcations are Y-shaped rather than U-shaped. The calyces are mostly lateral leaving 

 a broad bare space on the back of the colony and a narrow one, sometimes invaded by 

 calyces, on the front. There is often a tendency to form a zigzag row on the side of the branch. 



The individual calyces are dome-shaped Verrucae, often hemispherical when the polyps 

 are completely retracted. They are somewhat closely approximated on the sides of the branches 

 and are rendered conspicuous by their dark red color in contrast with the dull yellow of the 

 coenenchyma. A typical calyx measures .7 mm. in height and 1.3 mm. in diameter at the 

 base. Their walls are filled with coarse tuberculate spindles which sometimes tend to an en 

 chevron arrangement around the margin and otherwise are horizontal or irregularly disposed. 

 A few of the more superficial spicules are )-ellow, but the rest are red, the predominating 

 color in the calyces. The polyps are retractile and have a strong collaret composed of about 

 three horizontal rows of red tuberculate spindles, above this other spindles are arranged en 

 chevron over each tentacle base, forming a .series of 8 points above the collaret. The 

 remainder of the dorsal surface of the tentacles bears longitudinal yellow spindles. 



Spicules. These are mostly rather stout terete spindles, sometimes assuming- an oval 

 outline, and with definite whorls of promiment tubercles on the more slender spindles and 



