A cross section of the stem shows a thick ccenenchyma in which the calyces are sunken 

 almost to the axis cylinder. The canals are not nearly so regular and distinct as in Plexaura 

 aggregata. The axis is horny, with a white noncalcareous centre. 



Spicules. The spicules are all small, terete spindles with regularly disposed annular 

 rows of compound verrucae, giving a very symmetrical pattern. Definite layers of spicules can 

 not be made out, as they seem to pack the ccenenchyma from the surface nearly to the axis. 

 The spicules are those which KENT figures as characteristic of the genus Verrucella in the 

 Monthly Microscopical Journal, Feb. I st , 1870, Plate XLII, fig. 3. 



Color. The specimen is a light brown or tan color. The axis is dark brown and the 

 spicules are colorless. 



3. Plexaura recta new species. (Plate II, figs. 3, 3*2; Plate IV, fig. 3). 



Stat. 273. Anchorage off Pulu Jedan, E. coast of Aru Islands (Pearl Banks). 13 meters. 

 Stat. 299. Buka or Cyrus Bay, South coast of Rotti Island. 34 meters. 

 *Pulu Missa near Flores. J. H. DE SlSO don. 3 specimens. 



Colony flabellate in form, not reticulate, attaining a height of 59 cm. About 2 cm. above 

 the base the main stem divides into two, and each of these divides often, but not usually, in a 

 dichotomous manner until twigs of the 7 th order of division are attained. The ultimate branches 

 are long and slender, erect and parallel. They sometimes attain a length of 39 cm., are round, 

 and of approximately of the same diameter throughout. The main stem is i cm. in diameter 

 at its base, and the ultimate branches are from 2 to 3.5 mm. in diameter. The calyces are 

 evenly distributed on all sides and are entirely included when the polyps are retracted, leaving 

 but a slightly elevated border around the apertures. The apertures, in dried specimens, form 

 sharp oval openings. 



The individual calyces are small and sunken almost to the axis. The margin is surrounded 

 by well-marked scallops as in the preceding species. The tentacles in the specimen described 

 often protrude through these apertures, although the polyps themselves are entirely retracted. 

 The tentacles are very long, with long delicate fringes. I am unable to find any spicules in 

 the body walls or tentacles. 



A cross section of a branch reveals a condition much as in the last species. The axis 

 is noncalcareous, with a white centre around which are a number of light-colored strands, none 

 of which are calcareous. The canals are proportionally small and inconspicuous, and their 

 arrangement can not easily be determined. 



Spicules. These are very short, stout, small densely tuberculate spindles, often so short 

 as to be almost globular. The tubercles are so closely crowded as to cover the whole surface 

 almost like the round cells of a morula. There is no division of spicules into definite layers. 



Color. The colony is dark brown, in alcohol. Axis black, lightening distally. A specimen 

 from Stat. 273 is 64 cm. in height, and more profusely branched than the type described. 



