70 



Acamptogorgia bebrycoides, von Koch. Plate VI. figs. 4 and 5. 

 [ = Muricea bebrycoides, von Koch (1887), p. 52.] 



The colony is branched in one plane, with frequent anastomosis. There is ;i 

 slightly conical basal attachment, with a flat, spreading margin. The main stem 

 divides into two principal branches at a point 4 '5 mm. from the base, and these 

 give off branches from the two opposite sides in a very irregular manner. Between 

 the origins of the larger secondaries smaller twigs or branches arise which do not 

 usually divide, but only bear polyps. The branching is continued till branches 

 of the fifth order are reached. 



The axis is homy, and somewhat oval in section. 



The polyps are arranged irregularly, chiefly on three sides, most abundantly 

 on the lateral surfaces. The infolded tentacles form a fairly high spiculate oper- 

 culum which rests on the top of the verruca. The anthocodial spicules are 

 arranged in a crown and points ; the crown consists of 2-3 rows of transverse 

 spicules ; the points have two pairs of converging spicules at the base, and from 

 the tip of these several run longitudinally upwards. 



The verrucas are high, almost cylindrical, slightly smaller in diameter at the 

 tip. They are formed of spicules identical with those of the general coenenchyma, 

 and have a height of 175 mm. 



The general coenenehyma is fairly thick, and has a peculiar appearance, due 

 to the projecting globular-like ends of the spicules. 



The spicules are of three types : ( 1 ) warty spindles, either straight or curved ; 

 (2) irregular branched spindles, with large flat foliar expansions, somewhat re- 

 sembling the " Blattkeulen " of Plexaura; and (3) a few irregular quadriradiate 

 forms. The following measurements were taken of length and breadth in 

 millimetres : 



Spindles, O'SxO'OG; 0-4x0'06; 0'2xO-02. 

 Irregular forms, 0-25x0-2; 0'2xO'l75; 0-12xO'll. 



The foliar expansions are very irregular, appearing in some cases to be the 

 expanded branches of the main spindle, in other cases consisting of several branches 

 fused together. They may be nearly smooth at the edges, or produced into a 

 number of spines. The last type presents a very peculiar appearance, with rough 

 tubercles on the simple branches and stem, with warty protuberances and irregular 

 ridges on the foliar expansions. 



Locality : Station 246 ; 11 14' 13" N., 74 57' 15" E. ; 68-148 fathoms. 



Previously recorded from the Mediterranean and the Azores. 



