48 



long. The second internode is 6 mm. long, and a distal one 8 mm. long. The main stem 

 bifurcates i 5 cm. from its base into two irregular branches which are erect and nearly parallel, 

 giving off alternate branchlets, one from each node. The largest branch is sinuous. The distance 

 between branches varies, as do the length of the internodes. The calyces are lateral in position, 

 not so crowded as in many species, and leave proportionally broader naked areas on the back 

 and front of the branches. 



The individual calyces are quite small dome-shaped verrucae which show as dark red 

 swellings in contrast with the lighter red of the ccenenchyma. An average calyx measures .5 mm. 

 in height by .7 mm. in diameter, thus being smaller than any other species of this genus in 

 the collection. The calyx walls are filled with Stachelkeulen the spiny points of which give a 

 bristling appearance. The polyps are very small, retractile and, on account of their red color 

 being the same as that of the calyces, hard to study. The spiculation, however, seems to be 

 the same as in allied species, consisting of a collaret of transverse spicules above which 8 points 

 are formed by two or more spindles on each tentacle base meeting at an angle, and a distal 

 series of longitudinal spindles on the dorsal surfaces of the tentacles. 



Spicules. These are quite different from those of other species of the genus the most 

 characteristic ones being triangular in outline with their surfaces covered with large warty 

 tubercles. These triangles are large, and are modifications of the spiny club type, many of them 

 showing short thorny or foliaceaous projections from their club end. Both Blattkeulen and 

 Stachelkeulen are found, the latter predominating. Ordinary spindles are rather rare. When 

 present they are usually short, curved and ornamented with whorls of verrucae. 



Color. The colony is a dark, rather dull, coral red and the calyces and polyp spindles 

 a dark crimson red. 



Genus Mopsella Gray. 



Mopsella Gray. Proceedings Zoological Society of London, 1857, p. 248. 

 Mopsella Ridley. Zoological Collections H. M. S. Alert, 1884, p. 258. 

 Mopsella Studer. Versuch eines Systemes der Alcyonaria, 1887, p. 31. 

 Mopsella Wright and Studer. Challenger Reports, the Alcyonaria, 1889, p. XXXVI. 

 Mopsella Kukenthal. Die Gorgonidenfamilie der Melitodidse, Zoolog. Anz. Bd. XXXIII, 1908, 

 p. 198. 



The original definition of this genus is not at present accessible to the writer. RIDLEY 

 (1884) emphasizes the necessity of depending largely on spicule characters in defining genera 

 of this family. 



STUDER (1887) gives as the character of the genus the penetration of the internodes by 

 the water-vascular canals and the presence of spindles and foliaceous clubs among the spicules. 



KUKENTHAL (1908) gives the first satisfactory definition of the genus, which may be 

 translated as follows : 



"Colonies usually flabellate. The branching is dichotomous and from the nodes. Axis 

 usually penetrated by water-vascular canals. Cortical spindles foliaceous clubs. Polyps in low 

 calyces on the sides and one surface of the usually not flattened branches". 



