25 



the upper and about 1 •.') mm. in the lower part of the polyparium. The spicules 

 are arranged in eight double rows, there being in each lateral row six to eight pairs 

 of converging spicules, in each ventral row usually three to five pairs, and in 

 each dorsal about four pairs. In the lateral rows one of the second uppermost 

 pair is a little longer and may [jroject beyond the poly[). Th(^ spicules measure 

 on an average 0-3(j mm. in length, the longer projecting spicules, however, may 

 measure fully 0-4 mm. in length. On the aboral surface of each tentacle there 

 are t\\o rows of small, flatfish, rod-like spicules. 



The Stutzbundel is well developed and has a number of large spicules, one 

 of which may reach a length of 3-6 mm. and project 07 mm. beyond the polyp. 

 Usually the tip of a second spicule also projects. 



Cortical spicules : {u) In the steiu there are straight or curved spindles 

 usually forked at one end, and covered with regularly arranged prominent 

 roughish warts. They measure from 0-3 to 6-5 mm. in length and from 003 to 

 0-48 mm. in breadth. The smaller have comparatively fewer and simpler warts. 

 They are arranged more or less transversely on the stem and principal branches, 

 becoming more longitudinal on the smaller branches and twigs. 



(b) In the stalk there are short, thick spindles, clubs, three-, four- and 

 five-rayed forms, oval forms and irregular stars, all these having numerous 

 rough, often branched warts and huge spines, the latter occurring especially on 

 the edges. In addition there are smooth, flatfish spindle- to star-shaped forms. 

 The rough spindles measure about 1-6 mm. in length and 030 mm. in breadth, 

 the five-rayed have a spread of 9 mm., the four-rayed measure up to 1 mm., 

 and the clubs average about 0'4'2 mm. 



Canal-wall spicules : {a) In the stem there are huge spindles, three- and 

 four-rayed forms, and incipient tripod forms all covered with prominent blunt 

 sf)ines and rough warts, and in addition smooth. Hat, spindle- to star-shaped 

 forms. The si)indles measure up to 4 mm. in length and 0-42 mm. in breadth, 

 the three-rayed forms up to 1-6 mm. and the four-rayed forms uj) to 24 mm. 



(f)) In the stalk the spicules are similar to those of the canal walls of the 

 stem, and in addition five-rayed forms, smaller spindles with few simple warts, 

 and flatfish rayed forms. They differ little, if at all, in size from the stem canal- 

 wall spicules, but have only rough warts instead of blunt spines and rough 

 warts. 



Colour— The stalk is pinkish-white below, white above ; the stem and 

 principal branches are white; the smaller branches yellowish; the twigs yellowish 

 in the upper part, yellowish -white to white in the lower part of the polyparium ; 

 the polyps red with white tentacles in the upper, white in the lower part of 

 the polyparium. 



Locality : Off Colombo, 26| fathoms. 



The smaller specimen, which measures about 6 5 cm. in height and about 



