29 



spines at each end, small thick spindles, and numerous irregular forms, all with 

 large simple or branched spines. There are in addition a few flat, smooth 

 striated forms. 



Canal-wall spicules : (a) In the stem there are a very few minute disc-like 

 ])(i(lies and a few smooth, flat, star to spindle-shaped forms. 



(Ij) In the stalk the canal-wall spicules are similar to the preceding. 



Colour — Stalk yellowish-white ; stem, branches and twigs deep purple- 

 red ; polyps white. 



Locality : Andamans. 



Dendronephthya cervicornis (Wright and Studer) (= ,S. rhodosticta, 



Wright and Studer). 



To this species we refer a large specimen which measures about 8'5 cm. in 

 height and 8"5 cm. in greatest breadth. 



In all essential details the specimen agrees with the description given of 

 Spongodes rhodostkUi, Wright and Studer, rather than with the type D. cervi- 

 coDtia, but there is no real distinction between these two. 



The colour of the present specimen is as follows : The whole colony, with 

 the exception of the polyp-stalks, twigs and portions of the smaller branches, 

 is white ; the polyps and polyp-stalks are brownish-red ; the twigs and tips of 

 the smaller branches a light brownish-red. 



Locality : Station 291 ; Persian Gulf, 48-49 fathoms. 



To this species we refer another specimen which measures 8 cm. in height 

 and 6 cm. in greatest width. It is slightly bush-shaped, and very open in ap- 

 pearance, flatteneil in one plane, somewhat like a tree growing against a fence, 

 with small branches going off in every direction, and owes its appearance to 

 the unequal lengths of the branches. The texture of the main stem and 

 branches is flabby. 



The colour of the species is somewhat varied. In the present specimen 

 the stalk is brownish- white ; the stem and principal branches yellowish-white 

 with here and there dark red streaks appearing on the surface ; the smaller 

 branches, twigs and polyi)s orange-red ; the polyp-tentacles white. In the 

 original example the colour is white, the twigs and polyps of the lower half of 

 the polyparium purple. In the specimen described by Hickson and Hiles the 

 colour of the main stem, branches and polyp-heads is whitish, of the twigs purple. 

 Whitelegge's specimen was, on the other hand, yellowish-white in colour, the 

 twigs and polyps appearing red. 



Locality : Table Island (Cocos), Andamans. 



The species is previously recorded from Tahiti, "iO-OO fathoms ; Sandal 

 Bay (Lifu) ; Funafuti, 20 fathoms ; Kei Islands, 140 fathoms ; and Talili Bay 

 (New Britain). 



