Alcyonaria G 37 



The walls of the calicles and the ccenenchyma are filled with large elongated 

 acute spicules, mostly in the form of warted spindles (PL VII, figs. 4 and 5), 

 which project from the surface, especially in the summits of the calicles, as 

 sharp spinules (figs. 1 and 2). Those of the outer ccenenchyma (fig. 5) are 

 mostly very roughly warted spindles, often bent or irregular; those of the inner 

 layer are smaller, more regularly spinulose or warted. 



The polyps are large, capable of partial retraction, but usually leave a 

 large anthocodia exposed (fig. 2). This has an opercular armature, consisting 

 of eight convergent groups of large acute warted spindles, arranged in chevrons, 

 in quadruple series, on the basal part of the tentacles; and of a wide collar, 

 made up of about four to six or more transverse rows of long, stout, acute spindles, 

 mostly more or less curved (fig. 4). The inner layer of the ccenenchyma contains 

 smaller spindles, often unequally ended, and many small thorny clubs and 

 double clubs with prominent warts and other small forms (fig. 7). 



The polyp-cavity connects directly with the large canals in the basal 

 structure. The calicles may stand singly or they may be united in pairs, or 

 in small groups of abour three, with small buds around them. 



Trachythela rudis Verrill. New species 

 Plate VII; Figs. 1-7. 



Most of the characters of this, the only known species, are included in the 

 generic description above. The larger calicles are large, swollen or mammiform 

 at the base, with stiff spinulose cortex. The polyps are most frequently united 

 by a membranous but spiculose basal crust, but not uncommonly by narrow 

 creeping stolons; both methods may occur in one colony. The calicles may 

 stand singly but are often grouped in twos or threes, or may form close nodose 

 clusters, 8 to 10 mm. high, composed of two or three larger and several young 

 ones. They are usually, when contracted in alcohol, about 3-5 mm. to 4 mm. 

 in diameter, the anthocodia about 3-5 mm. broad by about 2 to 2-3 mm. high; 

 stolons may be 3 to 4 mm. wide. Most of the calicles are surmounted by a 

 stout strongly spiculose anthocodia (fig. 2). The calicles are echinate or rough 

 at the margin with the sharp projecting points of numerous spicules. Some 

 of these large warted spindles are forked or branched. The larger spicules 

 of the anthocodia are 1-25 mm. long by 0-11 thick; 1-15 mm. long by 0-10 

 thick; 1-00 mm. long by 0-10 thick. Some of the larger spicules of the ccenen- 

 chyma are 1-00 mm. long and 0-16 mm. thick; 0-70 long by 0- 13 thick. Some 

 from the inner layer of the calicles are irregular and some are branched or forked 

 at one end; length of large ones (fig. 6), may be 1-00 mm. long by 0-16 thick; 

 0-80 long by 0-17 mm. thick. 



Numerous smaller spicules are present in the tentacles, to near the tips, 

 and in the pinnae. 



The type specimens were from the deep water fishing banks attached to 

 dead stalks of Keratoisis ornata V. Types are in my collection. One large 

 group was on Paragorgia arborea. 



This peculiar new species does not appear to be very nearly allied to any 

 species previously known. It is remarkable for its strong armature of large 

 acute projecting spicules, on and around the margins of the calicles, and for the 

 abundant large spicules of the anthocodia and the tentacular operculum. The 

 polyps are often entirely retracted. 



The rather large spindles of the base and calicles are so thickly packed, 

 side by side, that these parts change their sizes and forms but little in drying. 



