32 



around the margin. A typical calyx measures 1.5 mm. in height and about the same in 

 diameter. In some calyx walls the large vertical spindles tend to an en chevron arrange- 

 ment, in some they are vertical and in still others they are mainly horizontal. The polyps are 

 completely retractile. The collaret is feeble and the tentacle bases bear rather strong spindles 

 arranged en chevron, and above these each tentacle is armed with strong curved longi- 

 tudinal spindles. 



A cross section of a branch shows a moderately thick coenenchyma filled with very 

 large, warty horizontal spindles. The axis is more dense and well defined than in other genera 

 of the Sclerogorgidae. The spicules are definite in form, usually terete, but with a smooth 

 surface like that of an icicle. They are not bound to each other by cross connections, but seem 

 to adhere by their contiguous sides. 



Spicules. The ccenenchyma and calyces are filled with very heavy spindles which 

 have their whole surface packed with verrucae which are not in definite whorls. Some of these 

 spindles measure as much as 2.5 mm. in length and 1.5 mm. in diameter. They are almost 

 exactly like those found in the genus Muricella or Acts. The spicules of the axis have already 

 been described. They are much smaller than those of the coenenchyma. 



Color. The colony is a brilliant scarlet, but this color is obscured and given a pinkish 

 cast by a whitish growth of sponge which covers it like a film. The axis is .light yellow ; the 

 polyps are whitish, probably yellow in life, and the spicules are crimson and yellow. 



General distribution. Type locality. Hyalonema Ground, off the coast of Japan, 

 345 fathoms. It has also been reported from the Laccadive Islands. 



If THOMSON and SIMPSON are right in combining the forms described as Korceides gracilis 

 and K. pallida with K. koreni, the range of this species is much greater, embracing Funifuti 

 (WHITELEGGE), Ceylon and the Andamans (THOMSON and HENDERSON), New Britain (HILES) and 

 the Hawaiian Islands (NUTTING). 



