THE GORGONACEA COLLECTED BY DR ^YILLEY. 199 



2 or 3 needles) which project above the polyp head for some distance, having only 

 a small portion of the lower end embedded in the calyx. 



These spicules are all of the same type — spindles — bent at the lower end which 

 bears only a few, scattered, small spines in the projecting spicules, those of the 

 calyx-wall being more or less covered with them. 



The projecting spicules measure 14 mm. x 1 mm.; those of the polyp-wall measure 

 ■5 x "04 mm. 



The colour in alcohol is dirty white. 



This form seems closely allied to Acanthogorgia muricata, Verrill, from Nova 

 Scotia. In the size of the calyces it approaches more nearly A. muricata, Verrill, 

 from the Barbadoes, where they are about 3 mm. high. 



The only apparent difference from A. muricata is that there are 8 projecting 

 groups of 2 or 3 spindles, while in A. muricata there are 8 single spicules ; this is 

 quite a sufficient distinction for a new species. 



Habitat. Mouth of Blanche Bay, New Britain. Depth, 25 fathoms. 



Villogorgia intricata, Gray. 



The specimen is somewhat larger than that described in the Challenger Collection. 



The base of the colony is missing, but the height of the portion present is 

 150 mm.; the width is about the same, but the colony is evidently imperfect. 



The main branches measure 1 mm. in thickness and reach to the top of the 

 colony. 



The polyps are irregularly scattered round the stem at intervals of approximately 

 1 mm. They measure "48 mm. in height, by "55 mm. in breadth, thus agreeing with 

 those of the Challenger specimen. 



The spicules of the coenenchyma are 4-rayed stars, and spindles branched on 

 one side. 



The axis is horny, flexible, the centre hollow and divided into horizontal chambers; 

 in some parts of the stem these are filled with calcareous matter in the form of 

 irregular lumps. 



The axis is light yellow in colour and the colony in spirits is brownish. 



Habitat. Sandal Bay, Lifu. Depth 30 to 40 fathoms. 



Previously recorded from Bass Straits, Fiji, and the New Hebrides. 



Epizoic on this form are several specimens of an Ophiuroid which corresponds 

 fairly well to Astroschema koehleri, Doderlein (10); the only differences are in the length 

 of the arms in proportion to the width of the disc, which in these forms is as 12 mm. 

 to 1'5 mm., and in Dr Dbderlein's as 10"6 mm. to 2'3 mm., also the rings of warts on 

 the upper surface of the arms are not apparent. 



There are also specimens of the Mollusc Avicula hirundo attached to the colony. 



Villogorgia rubra, Hiles. 



There is one specimen which resembles closely the new species, Villogorgia rubra, 

 described by me in the collection of Gorgonidae from Funafuti, Ellice Islands 1 . 



1 See footnote on p. 197. 



