66 



spicule of about 0'30 mm. In average length. The.se spicules have regularly 

 arranged simple spines which on the projecting part of the large spicule are 

 directed towards the tip. On the aboral surface of the tentacles two thickly 

 crowded rows of small, flat, irregularly toothed spicules are present. 



The Stiitzbvindel is well developed ; one or two of the spicules may reach 

 a length of 4'2 mm. and may project 1'2 mm. beyond the polyp-heads. On 

 many polyps, however, the Sttltzbiindel is much less pronounced. 



Cortical spicules : (a) Those of the stem are huge spindles either straight 

 or curved, thickly covered with regularly arranged rough or branched warts. 

 They vary much in size, measuring from 0'48 to 8"5 mm. in length and from 

 009 to 0'(3 mm. in thickness. In addition there are small spindles with fewer 

 and simpler warts or spines. The arrangement of the sjncules on the main 

 stem and branches is irregularly transverse, while in the smaller branches and 

 twigs it is almost perfectly longitudinal, giving a very firm support to the 

 whole colony. 



(h) The stalk contains thick spindles, rods, clubs, oval and globular forms. 

 The spindles are either straight or curved, and measure from 0:3 to 24 mm. in 

 length and from 0"12 to 0'36 nun. in breadth. In addition there are a few 

 more irregular forms. All are thickly covered with regularly arranged warts 

 which are usuall}" branched. 



Canal-wall spicules : (a) Those of the stem are large spindles measuring 

 from 030 to 36 mm. in length and from 0*12 to 07H mm. in thickness. 



{//) In the stalk are large spindles, three- and four-rayed forms, and a very 

 few tripods. The spindles may be straight, curved, or much bent, often forming 

 a shallow V-shape ; the three-rayed forms are large and have long rays ; the 

 four-rayed might be called irregular three-rayed with one ray branchetl ; the 

 longest ray of the tripod rises at right angles to the others. Many of the 

 s[>indles show a short branch and are often toothed or much branched at one 

 end. They are all thickly covered with rough, usually branched, warts. Spindles 

 average 30 mm. x 042 mm. ; three-rayed, 2-1 mm. x 12 mm., the rays averag- 

 ing about 0'42 mm. in thickness; four-rayed, 2'4 mm. x 15 mm. In addition 

 there are small, flattened, irregular spindle-shaped and rayed forms. 



Colour — Stalk, stem and branches white, the smaller branches show a 

 tinge of yellow ; twigs yellowish, with scattered pink spicules ; ^lolyp-stalks 

 pink ; polyp-spicules pink ; tentacles white. 



Locality : Off Ganjam Coast, 35 fathoms. 



Dendronephthya longispina, Henderson. 



The specimen is distinctly divaricate, and measures 5 6 cm. in length and 

 5"2 cm. in maximum breadth. 



