19 



marked liy numerous large longitudinal ridges and furrows, and having its 

 upper portion partially hid by the reflexed flattened branches. It is leathery in 

 texture and granular in appearance. 



The polyparium is very large, markedly flattened in one plane, and consi.sts 

 of a number of principal branches which rise on opposite sides of the stem in 

 the same plane. Each of these bears secondary branches from which smaller 

 branches are given off. These again, by repeated division, give rise to the polyp- 

 bearing twigs. All over the stem and principal branches smaller branches arise 

 which bear the polyps in clusters at the tips. The lower branches are flattened, 

 fold-like or leaf-like expansions, two of which are very large and almost sui"- 

 round the stem, and give off from their upper surface ordinary branches. 

 Slightly below these a number of smaller branches are given oft' which are cylind- 

 rical in the lower portion and flattened in the upper portion, and slightly above 

 the two large flattened liranches other smaller branches, flattened in their upjier 

 poi'tions, are given oft'. The whole polyparium is characterised by the promin- 

 ent branching, and liy its loose, open appearance, the marked flattening in one 

 plane, and the leaf-like lower branches. 



The polyps are arranged in small clustei's at the end of small twigs which 

 arise not only from the small branches but also from the general sui-tace of the 

 stem and larger branches. They also occur singly or in still smaller clusters on 

 the edges of the flattened branches. The spicules are arranged in the following 

 manner : at the base there are eight double rows of about two j)airs of spicules 

 each, then above these a number of irregularlj' arranged spicules, and rising- 

 above the latter eight points in each of which there is one jjair of converging 

 spicules. The spicules average about 0o2 mm. in length, but the upper- 

 most measure about 4 mm. and may project a little beyond the polyp. On 

 the aboral surface of each tentacle there are two rows of small flat spicules. 



The Stiitzbundel is poorly developed, and contains only a few spicules, 

 one or two of which reach a length of 0'9 mm. and scarcely project beyond 

 the polyp. In some cases the Stutzbimdel is more strongly developed and 

 contains larger si)ieules. 



Cortical spicules : (n) In the stem there are long, slender spindles with 

 numerous regularly arranged, simple spines, and a few small, flat, smooth 

 spindles with toothed edges. The larger spindles average about 17 nuu. in 

 length. 



(/>) In the stalk there are spindles, three and four-rayed forms, Y-shai)ed 

 forms, and numerous small, incipient three- and four-rayed forms whose centre 

 bears a distinct X-shaped marking, irregular spindles, branched in various 

 ways, flat disc-shaped forms, irregular clubs and stars. All have a marked 

 striation on the surface, and the majority have prominent rough, simple to 

 branched spines, while some have fewer and simpler spines. The spindles also 



