14 



The small size of the spicules renders the surface much smoother than is usual, and the 

 coenenchyma is sponge-like in texture. 



Color. The colony is dull, rather light, brown, or dust color. 



3. Euplexaura reticulata new species. (Plate III, figs. 2, ia\ Plate IV, fig. 9). 



Stat. 38. 735.4S., H728'.6E. Near Paternoster Islands. 521 meters. Coral. 

 Stat. 117. i o.sN., 122 56' E. Kwandang Bay, North Celebes. 80 meters. Sand and coral. 

 Stat. 144. Anchorage north of Salomakiee (Damar) Island. 45 meters. Coral bottom and 

 Lithothamnion. 



The type of this species is a mere fragment, but is plainly different from others of this 

 genus in the collection. Colony flabellate and reticulate, the part preserved being evidently from 

 near the margin of the colony and showing the anastomoses of the branches. The fragment 

 is 3.2 cm. long, and consists of a main branch which gives off two branchlets from one side. 

 The lower of these gives origin to three short stubs of branches from its outer side and sends 

 forth another on the opposite side, which anastomoses with the main stem. The greatest diameter 

 of the stem, near the base is 2 mm., and the least diameter of twigs is 1.2 mm. The calyces 

 seem to be more unevenly distributed than in other species, being almost contiguous in some 

 places and as much as 2 mm. apart in others. 



The individual calyces, while not much exserted, have sharply cut margins and are 

 therefore more pronounced than in other species of the genus in the collection. When open 

 they have the form of low truncated cones, and when closed they appear as low domes. When 

 the polyp is fully retracted a series of eight points are seen directed towards the centre. These 

 points constitute a pseudo-operculum on the dorsal side of the retracted tentacles. Each opercular 

 flap consists of several spindles arranged en chevron on the proximal part of tentacle, and 

 a number of longitudinal spindles on the distal part. There is also a well marked collaret. 



A section of a branch shows the same features as have been described in the preceding 

 species. The axis contains a number of calcareous fibres that can be separated by boiling in potash. 



Spicules. The spicules are mainly small, but hardly minute, terete spindles which are 

 densely tuberculate, the tubercles seldom appearing to be in definite whorls. The spindles are 

 quite uniform in character. 



Color. The fragment is light grayish brown. 



Two specimens of this species were found in the collection after the above description 

 was written. They are much larger than the type, but neither is complete. One of them is 

 1 2 cm. in length, and both are plainly reticulate. 



Hicksonella new genus. 



Plexauridae with a thick ccenenchyma, calyces included and on all sides of the branches, 

 horny axis cylinder, and two very different types of spicules. One type consists of very small, 

 short, warty spindles, and the other of comparatively large, slender, bar-like, smooth spindles 

 sometimes attaining a length of 1.2 mm. 



