REPORT ON THE ALCYONARIA. 13 



ccenenchyma, upon which the calyces of the polyps are borne at right angles and 

 arranged in spirals. 



The main axis rises in a sinuous course, taking an opposite direction at the origin of 

 each branch. It attains a length of 150 mm., with a diameter near the base of 3 mm. 

 and in the upper third of 2 mm. It is not cylindrical, but is flattened at the sides 

 where the branches are given off. These branches, of which the lower ones are as strong 

 as the main axis, arise alternately from the two sides. They arise at an angle of about 45°, 

 but usually curve upwards and take a more vertical course. They attain a length of 120 

 mm., but decrease towards the apex, so that their apices are on a level with the end of 

 the stem. The larger have a sinuous course like the stem, and are similarly flattened. In 

 a similar manner twigs are given off by the branches ; they are very flexible, and here 

 and there bear small secondary twigs. They have a length of 25 to 60 mm., being 

 somewhat thickened terminally. 



The ccenenchyma covering the axis is thin, and in a dry condition easily separable. 

 The calyces spring from the stem, branches and twigs, in irregular spirals at intervals of 

 2 to 2 "5 mm. The twigs are terminated by two or three polyps, between which protrudes a 

 blunt stolon. They are cylindrical, terminally truncated, or, at most, slightly thinner in 

 the middle than at either end. The mouth is closed by the folded tentacles, the bases of 

 which form a distinct cover. Their height is 1*8 mm., and the diameter of the upper 

 part 1 mm. 



The spicules of the ccenenchyma are in part curved, in part straight spinose spindles, 

 which are arranged in irregular longitudinal lines. They often, however, lie obliquely 

 and transversely to the long axis, and thus cross in manifold fashion. The spines covering 

 them are mostly blunt or abruptly terminated, and loosely distributed. They are 

 continued on the calyces, where they lie partly oblique, partly straight, frequently 

 crossing one another. Their dimensions are 0'93 by 0"078 mm.; 0"84 by 0'096 mm.; 

 0-63 by 0-06 mm.; 073 by 0"07 mm.; 078 by 0-084 mm. 



The oral region of the polyps bears a collar, composed of curved spicules ; it is 

 usually retracted within the calyx margin to the base of the tentacles. The spicules are 

 arranged in threes, two of which converge towards the end of the tentacle, the third 

 lying between them. These spicules form a protective cover to the tentacles, and are 

 found up to the very apex. The oral spicules have the following dimensions : — - 33 by 

 0"053 mm.; 0*33 by - 04 mm.; 0'27 by 0"03 mm. In the spindles of the tentacles the 

 spines are fewer and less strongly developed. The axis is yellowish brown, horny, 

 fibrous, and flexible, almost limp in the thinner twigs. 



The colour of the colony, in spirit, is brown. 



Habitat.— Station 232; lat. 35° 11' N., long. 139° 28' E., off Japan; 345 fathoms; 

 green mud. 



