58 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



the polyp, the pre-opercular measure 2 mm. by 2 mm., and those of the operculum TS mm. 

 by 1 mm. 



Habitat— S>tatioQ 174, August 3, 1874; lat. 19° 10' S., long. 178° 10' E.; depth, 

 210 to 610 fathoms. 



This species is described from a single specimen, in which, however, several of the 

 whorls of polyps are quite perfect. The polyps are the largest of any of the hitherto 

 described species of this genus. 



3. Stenella dcederleini, n. sp. (PL XX. fig. 7). 



Axis in the several fragments found irregularly branched, hard, brittle, of a dark- 

 brown colour, iridescent ; the outer horny fibres give it a striated appearance. Some of the 

 fragments are from 100 to 150 mm. in height, and in their widest diameter about 2 mm. 



The coenenchyma is very thin, with a layer of semitransparent scale-like spicules, 

 many of which have a projecting central knob, giving a thorny appearance to the layer. 



The polyps are in whorls of three or four each, at irregular distances on the stem and 

 branches. The polyps are long, narrow, about 3 '5 mm. in height by 1 mm. in width. 



The scale-like spicules surround the body of the polyp in about four series, while the 

 pre-opercular calyx is formed of eight scales with spathulate prominences. The opercular 

 scales, eight in number, project far from the pre-opercular ring, and each spicule is folded ' 

 back on itself with a broadly laminated free edge. 



The spicules of the coenenchyma measure l-0'50 ; 0"50-0'25 ; 0"25-0"12 mm.; those 

 of the polyps l-0'50 ; the pre-opercular scales r50-0"50 ; r50-0"45 mm., and those of 

 the operculum 1-0 "50 mm. 



The remarkable projecting knobs from the elongated scale-like spicules wilPdis- 

 tinguish the species from all others as yet described. 



Habitat. — Station 237, south of Japan ; depth, 1875 fathoms; bottom, blue mud. 



4. Stenella spinosa, n. sp. (PI. XIII. figs. 1, 2; PI. XX. fig. 9). 



Axis branched, 130 to 150 mm. in height, branches arising irregularly and somewhat 

 densely from the main axis, so as to give the shape of a small bush to the colony, dark- 

 brown in colour, deeply striated, coenenchyma thin, on the older portion with a dense 

 compact layer of small, overlapping, scale-like spicules, through which the dark axis is 

 plainly visible ; on the younger portion the scales are larger and imbricated. The polyps 

 on the main stems and larger branches arise single and in an irregular fashion, but on the 

 younger twigs in whorls of twos and fours. 



The polyps measure. 3 mm. in height by 2 to 2 '5 mm. in width across the pre- 

 opercular scales. The body of the polyp is surrounded by four rows of scales below' the 



