THOMSON AND EtJSSELL— AXIFEEA. 153 



The colony is almost entire, and has a height of 10 cm. with a width of 7"5 cm. The 

 diameter of the axis near the base is 4'5 ram. Branching occurs freely in one plane. 

 The polyps are much more numerous on one face of the colony than on the other ; they 

 project from the red coeuenchyma as cream-white warts, 1-1"5 mm. in height. 



The superficial resemblance between Acamptogorgia gracilis and Ilurioella riibra is 

 very striking. Closer examination shows a different anthocodial arrangement and com- 

 j)letely different spicules in the two species — those of M. rubra being uniformly warty 

 spindles, while those of A. gracilis are clubs with irregulai'ly expanded divaricate ends, 

 curved warty spindles with toothed foliaceous expansions, irregular stellate forms, 

 quadriradiates, &c. 



Locality. Providence, 50 fms. 



Previously recorded from the Ceylon seas. 



26. Acamptogorgia foliata, sp. n. 



This apparently new form is in some respects like A. arhuscula (Gray). Thus it shows 

 the same sort of characteristic foliar expansions on some of the spicules. 



It differs, however, («) in showing more than two (usually four) folia, rising at an 

 angle from the body of the spicules ; (5) in the larger size of the spicules, which are in 

 most cases about twice as large, although the colony itself is very much smaller (h\ cm. 

 in height as contrasted with 27 cm.) ; (c) in the less crowded disposition of the verrucse, 

 which are often 2-3 mm. apart. 



The branches arise alternately from a main stem and spread out for the most part in 

 one plane. The axis is 1"5 mm. in thickness at the base. The truncated cylindrical 

 verrucse arise on all sides, and some show a high prominent operculum. The general 

 colour is light greyish-brown. 



The spicules include the following forms : — 



(a) Spindles with sparse irregular spines or with more numerous compound warts, 



often with hints of folia, and often showing an unequal development of 



spines on opposite sides: 0-37 X 0-088, 0-67x0-21 mm. 

 (6) Ciu'ved warty spindles with two to three strongly developed folia which arise 



from the convex side and are often associated with spines: 0-33x0"iy, 



0-4.4iX0-26 mm. 



(c) Somewhat stellate three- or four-rayed forms, bearing three or four associated 



folia arising at different angles and always with serrated edges: 0'4!0x03S, 

 0-47 X 0-28 mm. 



(d) Thin curved spindles from the anthocodiae : 0-28 X 0-035 mm. 

 Locality. Salomon, 120-150 fms. 



27. Acamptogorgia tenuis, Thomson and Simpson. (Plate 7. fig. 2.) 

 Por description see : — 



Thomson and Simpson : Alcyonaria of Indian Ocean, pt. ii. 1907, p. 230, 3 figs. 

 Locality. Providence, 50 fms. Pormerly recorded from Andamans. 



