830 MR JAMES J. SIMPSON 



The tentacles are not retractile, but are simply infolded and overlap the oral region ; 

 they are covered on the aboral surface with numerous scale-like sclerites. The spicules 

 vary in type in the different parts ; those of the stem and trunk are thick spindles 

 covered with multituberculate warts ; those of the anthocodise (" crown and points ") 

 are straight or curved spiny spindles or clubs ; those on the aboral surface of the tentacles 

 are small, flat, and scale-like. 



The specimens differ so much from one another that they seem to require the 

 definition of three new species, for which the following names are proposed : — 

 Cactogorgia celosioides, n. sp., from its resemblance to Celosia ; C. expansa, n. sp., from 

 its flattened appearance ; C. alciformis, n. sp., from its antler-like mode of growth. 



Specific Diagnoses. 



C. celosioides, n. sp. — The stem and polyparium are much flattened, of a light brown 

 colour, stiff and rigid, with a translucent sheen. The coenenchyma is densely spiculose, 

 with the spicules arranged longitudinally. The polyps are borne in several rows along 

 the margin ; the verrucas are cylindrical and distinct ; the anthocodise have a dense 

 armature — a "crown" consisting of 7-10 rows of curved spindles and "points," each 

 composed of a single pair of spindles with occasionally one or two smaller ones between ; 

 the tentacles bear numerous small scales arranged " en chevron " on the aboral surface. 

 The spicules of (A) the stem and polyparium are transparent spindles with numerous 

 multituberculate warts ; (B) those of the anthocodise are spiny spindles, straight or curved, 

 and clubs ; (C) those on the tentacles are scales. The following are typical measure- 

 ments of length and breadth in millimetres : — (A) 2 -2 x 0'55 ; 0-75 x 0'3. (B) 0^5 x 0*18 ; 

 0-85x0-1. (0)0-07x0-035. 



C. expansa, n. sp. — The stem is cylindrical, the polyparium flattened ; both are 

 stiff and rigid, with a densely spiculose coenenchyma, very opaque in appearance. The 

 spicules of the coenenchyma lie in all directions. The polyps arise from the margin of 

 the colony ; the verrucas are not very conspicuous ; the anthocodias are densely covered 

 with spicules having a "crown and points" arrangement; the crown consists of about 

 8 rows ; the points consist of 6-8 pairs " en chevron," and increasing in size towards the 

 apex. There are numerous small scale-like spicules on the aboral surface of the tentacles. 

 The spicules are opaque and yellowish ; those of (A) the stem and polyparium are 

 multituberculate spindles ; those of (B) the anthocodise are spiny spindles or clubs ; 

 those on (C) the tentacles are pale yellow transparent scales. The following are average 

 measurements of spicules length by breadth in millimetres: — (A) l'5x0'3; rixO'2. 

 (B) 0-8x0-1. (0)0-04x0-015. 



C. alciformis, n. sp. — The stem and polyparium are sinuous, much contorted, antler- 

 like, stiff, rigid, and translucent ; the coenenchyma is densely spiculose, and the spicules 

 are disposed in all directions and interlock. The polyps occur on the margins of small 

 lobes ; the verrucas are well developed and cylindrical ; the anthocodise are large, and 



