NO. 1923. DESCRIPTIONS OF PACIFIC ALCYONARIA^NUTTING. 97 



The calyces are lateral, sometimes alternate and sometimes opposite, 

 and about 3 to 4 mm. apart from summit to summit. 



The axis effervesces slightly in acid, but has no definite calcareous 

 center. 



The individual calyces are conical in shape, sometimes tubular. A 

 typical one measures 1.2 mm. in height and 2.2 mm. in diameter. The 

 calyx walls are filled with irregularly placed small spindles, giving a 

 granular appearance. The polyps are retractile, but often rest with 

 the collaret on the calyx margin, and the tentacles are held in a verti- 

 cal position, except their tips, making a subcylindrical mass with 8 

 corrugations. The collaret consists of several rows of rather small 

 warty spindles. The tentacles are armed with numerous similar 

 spindles arranged en chevron basally and in several longitudinal rows 

 distally. 



The coenenchyma of stem and branches is filled with spicules simi- 

 lar to those in the calyx walls, with occasional stout, blunt-ended, 

 bar-like forms irregularly placed. 



Spicules : These are exceedingly varied in form. There are regular 

 warty spindles, small double spindles, radiate forms, clubs, etc., be- 

 sides the very peculiar bar-like forms mentioned above. These are 

 thicker and denser than the others, and more deeply colored, being 

 an intense crimson while the others are nearer brick red or scarlet, 

 3 mm. long. 



Color: The colony is light crimson in color, axis dark brown. 



ZocaZ^.— Station 4781; lat. 52° 14' 30" N.; long. 174° 13' E.; 

 482 fathoms. 



Type-specimen.— Csit. No. 30024, U.S.N.M. 



This species, although bearing a very close resemblance to Cal- 

 listeplianus Icoreni Wright and Studer, differs materially in its spicules, 

 particularly in the bar-like forms which are quite abundant and char- 

 acteristic. Geographical considerations render it unlikely that the 

 two are identical. 



Family GORGONELLID^. 



Axis consisting of a homogeneous calcareous structure or of a cal- 

 careous core, not jointed, often fluted by the impressions of the water- 

 vascular canals. Spicules usually girdled forms such as double heads, 

 stars, and double clubs. 



Genus SCIRPEARELLA Wright and Studer. 



Gorgonellidse which are simple or branched, not reticulate; calyces 

 in spirals or oblique rows in adult specimens, lateral in young colonies, 

 rather prominent; coenenchyma rather thick, with spiny spindles and 

 double heads. 



48702°— Froc.N.M.vol.43— 12 7 



