716 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxxv. 



PLUMARELLA LONGISPINA Kinoshita. 



Plate LXXXVIII, figs. 1 and 2; Plate XC, fig. 3. 

 Plumarella longispina Kinoshita, Journ. Coll. Sci., Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 1908, p. 14. 



Colony, incomplete, flabellate in form, 106 mm. high, and 106 mm. 

 broad. The main stem is somewhat flattened, giving forth alternate 

 main branches at irregular distances, and between the main branches 

 the stem gives forth regularly alternate branches that do not sub- 

 divide. The main branches subdivide as does the main stem. 

 Calyces strictly alternate to strictly opposite in different parts of 

 the colony, in two opposite series on stem and branches, the top 

 of one ordinarily reaching to the base of the one next above. Aperture 

 pointed upward and a little outward. Calj^cular walls armed with 

 conspicuous flattened scale-like spicules which vary greatly in size 

 and in form m different calyces ; the typical arrangement being about 

 four whorls, the two proximal whorls being composed of broad curved 

 scales with their distal convex edges ctenate, and the distal whorl 

 bearing conspicuous thorn-like processes which extend beyond the 

 end of the operculum. These spines are usually two to six in number, 

 of which two are often distinctly longer than the others. Sometimes 

 one or two spines are borne on the whorl of scales which lies just 

 below the distal one. 



The operculum is composed of eight irregularly shaped scale-like 

 spicules, the points of which are often produced into spine-Hke 

 processes. The side of the calycular wall next the branch is reduced 

 to a narrow band, the antero-lateral processes from the proximal 

 whorls of spicules being the only ones that meet to complete the 

 whorl on the cauline side. Calyces about 1.5 mm. high to the 

 summit of the operculum. 



The spicules are of such varied forms as to defy description. They 

 are all more or less flattened scales, however, the most characteristic 

 being in the form of a flattened basal portion bearing on its distal 

 edge the long thorn-like process that projects above the calycular 

 margins. Many of the scales are ornamented with a convex ctenate 

 margin. Surfaces of scales ornamented with evenly and closely 

 distributed granules. 



The color of the colony as a whole is light grayish brown, the sur- 

 faces of the stem and branches being more distinctly gray. 



Locality. — Station 4359, Point Loma light-house N. 85° E. 9 

 miles, 191 fathoms. The type was secured from Okinoce Bank, 

 Sagami Sea, 330 fathoms. 



