57 



also on the other sides between the scarlet borders of the calyces. The polyp spicules are 

 scarlet. The axis is a bright yellow, a characteristic which differentiates this species from Meli- 

 todes ochracea. The stem and main branches are dark red. Another colony has the distal 

 internodes creamy white and the nodes yellow. 



This species bears a very close superficial resemblance to Mclitodes ochracea. 



Thomson and M.\ckinnon ^ have called attention to two other cases of very close 

 appro.ximation of species belonging to separate genera, i. e., Wrightella coccinea and Mclitodes 

 coccittea (Esper) ; also Wrightella variabilix Thomson and Henderson and Mclitodes variabilis 

 Hickson. The present case is quite similar to those noted by these writers. 



There is very close resemblance between Birotulata splcndcns and Mclitodes ochracea, 

 but the spiculation is so difterent as to justify a generic distinction between the two. 



Alcyonarians collected by the Percy Sladen Trust E.\pediUon. Part II, 1910, p. 200. 



SIBOGA-EXPEDITIE Xllli'. 



