26 



5 cm. in breadth, agrees in almost every detail with the larger. It differs 

 slightly in the size of the spicules and in the colour. The only difference of 

 any importance is in the ai-rangement of the polyp-spicules, which areas follows : 

 In the lateral rows five to eight pairs, and in the dorsal and ventral about four 

 pairs. 



The colour of the smaller specimen is as follows : The stalk, stem and 

 principal branches are creamy- white, the smaller branches yellowish-white; 

 the tips of twigs and polyp-stalks in the upper part reddish-pink ; the polyps 

 reddish-pink ; tentacles, white. In the lower part of the polyparium, the twigs, 

 polyp-stalks, polyps and tentacles are all white. 



Locality : Off Colombo, 264 fathoms. 



DIVISION DIVARICATE. 



Dendronephthya cocosiensis, Henderson. 



A specimen which measures about 8 cm. in height and 4 cm. in greatest 

 breadth is the sole representative of this species. 



The stalk, about 3 cm. long, is marked by 

 numerous longitudinal ridges and furrows, and 

 gives off a number of stolons from its base. It 

 is somewhat granular in appearance and lea- 

 thery in texture. 



The polyparium is irregular in outline and 

 slightly flattened in one plane, there being a 

 more marked development of branches on one 

 side than on the other, and on the former side 

 there is a large branch which projects beyond 

 the surface of the polyparium. The lower 

 branches are slightly flattened, and are also 

 slightly reflexed. From the surface of the stem 

 and large branches smaller branches are given 

 off almost at a right angle to the stem, and by 

 their division give rise to the polyp-bearing twigs. 

 The polyps are arranged in small groups of 

 five to nine on diverging stalks which may reach 

 a length of 2 mm. They are low, rounded bodies, measuring 48 mm. in 

 height and 056 mm. in breadth, and are placed at a right angle on the stalks. 

 The polyp-spicules are arranged in eight double rows, in each of which there 

 are about seven pairs of converging spicules. The uppermost pair in each row 

 is slightly larger and projects a little beyond the polyp. The lower polyp- 

 spicules average about 0'256 mm. in length, while the upi)er average about 0-32 



Fig. 13. D. cocosiensis. 



