10 



axis ; they are of large size and are completely covered with spicules, which are closely packed 

 side by side. A variable number (nine to eleven) of long fusiform spicules 

 surround the apical portion of the polype, forming a calyx. Tentacles eight, 

 pinnately lobed". 



VERRILL includes in this genus all of his family " Ceratoisida" that have the ccenenchyma 

 and calyces filled with large fusiform spicules and the calyx armed with a crown of spines. 

 This definition is somewhat misleading, as the small spicules often found in the calyces and 

 ccenenchyma are often not fusiform but lenticular or "biscuit-shaped", sometimes fiddle-shaped, 

 or even oval. 



STUDER (1887) practically adopts the original definition of WRIGHT. WRIGHT and STUDER 

 (1889) point out the difficulty of distinguishing between the unbranched species of Lepidisis 

 (Verrill) and the unbranched forms of Ceratoisis. This point seems to the present writer to be 

 well taken, and should result in the combination of the two genera, as suggested by WRIGHT 

 and STUDER. 



Their definition of the genus Ceratoisis is as follows : 



"The colony is simple or branched, in the latter case with the branches arising from 

 the calcareous internodes. These latter are long and hollow when young. The ccenenchyma 

 contains long smooth spindles or needle-like spicules. In the polyps, which are nonretractile, 

 there are large needles. One row of these spicules is so disposed that one lies at the base 

 between each pair of tentacles and projects beyond them, the result being a circlet of diverging 

 spines around the oral region". 



This definition is dificient in the fact that it makes no mention of the oblong, compara- 

 tively smooth, oval, or lenticular spicules found both in Ceratoisis grayi (the type species) and 

 in the species of VERRILL'S genus Lepidisis. This point, however, is covered in their more 

 elaborate definition of the genus on page 26 of the Challenger Report, Alcyonaria, 1889. 



The genus Ceratoisis, as used in the present work, may be defined as follows : 



Ceratoisidina whose calyces are armed with a crown of needle-like spicules. The axis is 

 simple or sparingly branched, the calcareous internodes hollow, at least in the younger portions 

 of the colony. Ccenenchyma, and often the calyces, with oblong, lenticular, fiddle-shaped, or 

 oval scales with comparatively smooth surfaces. 



The type species of this genus is Ceratoisis grayi Wright. Other species are C. (Lepidisis) 

 caryophyllia (Verrill), C. flabellum Nutting, C. gracilis Thomson and Henderson, C. grandiflora 

 Studer, C. grandis Nutting, C. (Lepidisis) inermis (Studer). C. japonica Studer, C. (Lepidisis) 

 longiflora (Verrill), C. nuda Wright and Studer, C. ornata Verrill, C. palmce Wright and Studer, 

 C. philippinensis Wright and Studer, C. ramosa Hickson, C. siemenensis Studer, C. (Lepidisis) 

 vitrea (Verrill), and the new species described in the present work. 



i. Ceratoisis paucispinosa Wright and Studer. 



Ceratoisis paucispinosa Wright and Studer. Challenger Reports, the Alcyonaria, 1889, p. 28. 

 Stat. 52. 93'.4S., 1 19 56'. 7 E. 959 meters. Globigerina ooze. 



