73 



Dendronephthya pallida, Henderson, nee. Sp. pallida, Holm. 



The eolony is small, measm-ing 4-5 cm. in height and 4-5 cm. in breadth, 

 with a very short stalk and a large polyparium, much flattened and nearly 

 circular in outline. 



The stalk is very short, measuring only 1 cm., i.e., about two-ninths of the 

 total height ; it is granular in appearance and has many longitudinal ridges and 

 furrows, and numerous transverse wrinkles ; it gives 

 off a large number of very thin-walled stolons from the 

 base ; these may arise singly or a number may arise 

 from a blunt process ; they are very various in size. 



The i)olyparium is large, much flattened, regular 

 in outline and compact in appearance owing to the 

 smaller branches being well developed. The stem 

 gives off at each side one main branch, continues for 

 a short distance and then divides into two principal 

 branches ; all the main branches rise at an acute 

 angle to the stem ; they remain relatively short, but 

 through numerous divisions give rise to the enor- 

 mously developed smaller branches. Many smaller 

 branches also arise from the main stem. The de- 

 velopment is well seen on the lower part of the stem 

 where a number of small blunt finger-like processes 

 rise which, when examined, show two polyps or more, 

 smaller heads appearing between larger ones. 



The polyps are arranged in bundles of four to ten polyps, ten being the 

 commonest number, and all are raised more or less to the same level. They are 

 small, somewhat globular bodies, with an average height of 0() mm. and an 

 average breadth of 0'54 mm. ; they are placed on their stalks at an angle which 

 varies from right to obtuse. The spicules are arranged in eight double rows ; 

 in each lateral row there are seven to eight pairs of converging spicules, and in 

 the dorsal five pairs. They are small, flattened, curved or nearly straight spindles 

 .with numerous prominent spines, their average length being 019 mm. ; none of 

 them project beyond the polyp-head. 



The Stiitzbundel shows considerable variation in development within the 



members of one group of polyps. It is well developed in some and projects 



beyond the polyp for a considerable distance ; in others it is less marked, while 



in the smaller it is scarcely noticeable. In the best-developed state it consists 



of five prominent long spicules, one of which {projects beyond the polyp for a 



distance of 0<) mm. and is usually about 3 mm. long. Very often a second 



spicule projects slightly. 

 10 



Fig. 38. D. pallida. 



