REPORT ON THE ALCYONARIA. 273 



At the base of tentacles, large spicules occur which converge outwards. They have a 

 broad expanded base and a pointed end, and are beset with sharp spines. They measure 

 up to 0"72 mm. in length by 0'058 mm. in thickness, and form, occurring as they do 

 in several rows one behind the other, a quasi-operculum 2 mm. in height. 



The colour of the colony as preserved in spirit is yellowish-white. 



Habitat.— Station 56, lat. 32° 8' 45" N., long. 64° 59' 35" W ; depth, 1075 fathoms. 



Sympodium glomeratuni, n. sp. (PI. XLIII. figs. 13, 14). 



A thin basal membrane extends over Gorgonoid axes. From this the polyp calyces 

 arise; these are rarely separate, being usually in close groups. This is especially the case 

 where the membrane grows out beyond the substratum, and thickens considerably to form 

 thick cushions, which project to a height of 12 mm. and have a breadth of 6 to 7 mm. 

 From these the polyp calyces arise to varying heights. The colonies then exhibit very 

 much the appearance of a young Alcyonium stock. 



The polyps have their lower portion sunk into the coenenchyma, and present project- 

 ing calyces, about 1 mm. each in height and 1*5 mm. in diameter. Into the latter the 

 anterior portion of the polyp may be completely retracted, while the calyx wall closing 

 over forms an incomplete operculum. Eight strong ridges extend up along the calyx 

 wall. When the polyp is retracted, the calyx portion has the appearance of a small 

 wart, upon the top of which the bases of the folded and spicular tentacles may be seen 

 protruding. 



The mesoderm of the calyces and of the ccenenchyma is thickly beset with rough 

 spicule's. One can distinguish broad curved spindles, beset with spinose warts projecting 

 straight outwards. These spicules have the following length and breadth respectively — 

 0"2 to 0'05, 0'25 to 0"025, 0"16 to 0"067 mm. Besides these club-shaped forms occur others, 

 broadened out at one end, and beset with jagged and spinose processes, as well as with 

 spiny warts. The length and breadth of these vary respectively as follows : — 0*2 to 0'05, 

 0"2 to 0"052, 0'083 to 004 mm. Furthermore, there are curved flat bodies, which may be 

 described as crescent-shaped clubs, which are flattened out, and beset with spines and 

 thorny processes. Their dimensions in length and breadth are 0'25 to 0'058, or 0'16 to 

 0"06 mm. Twin and four-rayed forms likewise occur. 



Under the tentacles, the spindles are disposed in a ring so as to form a broad collaret. 

 Short spiny spindles, converging towards the centre, are disposed in several rows at the 

 bases of the tentacles, and these form a sort of operculum. These spindles are covered 

 with straight warts, and are themselves sometimes straight, sometimes curved. In the 

 collaret they measure 0"43 mm. in length to 0"033 mm. in breadth. In the tentacles their 

 length and breadth vary as follows : — 0"2 to 0"05, and 0"25 to 0'025 mm. 



(ZOOL. CHALL. EXP. — PART LXIV. — 1889.) Sss 35 



