21 



spaces ill wliicli two small ordinary hranches arise. Slightly further up the 

 stem one or two large branches arise, and all round the stem and larger 

 branches, smaller branches are given off which by division give rise to the 

 polyivbearing twigs. 



The polyps are arranged in small groups of about five each, anil are placed 

 at practically a right angle on a stalk of about l"o mm. in length. The heails 

 are low and round, measuring about 0'48 mm. in height and 0o6 nnii. in 

 breadth. The spicules are arranged in the following manner : At the base of 

 the polyp there are a few irregularly ari-anged spicules, sometimes bluntly 

 converging, sometimes horizontally placed ; then a ring of horizontal spicules, 

 three deep ; and rising above this eight points each consisting of a single pair 

 of convergingsp icules. In the points there may be a third spicule lying- 

 parallel to one of them. The lower spicules average about 033 mm. in length 

 and the upper about 0-6 mm., but the upper may reach a length of 0"9 mm. 

 and project for a distance of 03 mm. lieyond the polyp. 



The Stiitzbimdel is well develoi)ed, one of its spicules usually reaching 

 a length of about 26 mm. and projecting more than O'S mm. beyond the 

 polyp. 



Cortical spicules : (k) In the stem they are thickish spindles, blunt at the 

 end, with numerous rough, blunt spines, the larger averaging 1 mm. in length, 

 the smaller, about 0'6 mm. 



(/>) In the stalk there are short and broad spindles which show great varia- 

 tion in length but a more marked variation in breadth ; they are straight or 

 curved and may be even C-- and S-shaped. A few show two whorls on their 

 surface. There are also a very few incomplete three-rayed forms. All bear 

 numerous multituberculate warts. Smaller spindles average 0"6 mm. in length, 

 larger spindles are about 1'35 mm. long and about 0'22 mm. broad. Spindles 

 up to 2-25 mm. long and 04 mm. broad are present. 



Canal-wall spicules : (it) In the stem there are a number of short spindles 

 with rough warts. 



(/>) The spicules of the stalk are similar to the preceding luit are more 

 numerous, and there also occur smooth, flat, striated spindles with few pro- 

 tuberances, irregular three- and four-rayed forms, and si)indle- to star-shaped 

 forms with toothed edges. 



Colour — Stalk, stem and lower part of branches, greyish-white ; upper 

 part of smaller liranches and polyp-twigs, whitish to whitish-brown ; polyps 

 brown. 



Locality : Station 78 ; off Ganjam Coast. 



