103 



upper surface of the group is almost flat, but sometimes shows a slight con- 

 vexity, and the outline of the group is more or less angular. The twigs show 

 a peculiar thickening. 



The polyps are small, roundish bodies, measuring 54 mm. in height and 

 OB mm. in breadth, and stand at right angles to the short stalks (only 0'5 mm.). 

 The spicules are arranged in eight double rows of seven to eight pairs of small 

 converging spicules. They are small and thick, measuring about 0"21 mm. in 

 length, and do not project. 



The Stutzbiindel is well developed, especially in the red-coloured polyps, 

 where one of the spicules may project for a distance of 0"9 mm. beyond the 

 polyp, and usually the tips of two more project. 



The spicules of the cortex of the stem are straight or' curved spindles 

 covered by regularly arranged blunt spines. 



These features, which agree closely with the description given by Kuken- 

 thal and Holm, justify the inclusion of this fragment in the species D. 

 lanxifera, Holm. 



Locality : Andamans, 20 fathoms. 



The species has been previously recorded from Port Darwin, North 

 Australia. 



Dendronephthya lanxifera, Holm, var. palkensis, Henderson. 



This variety is represented by six small specimens, all of which are evidently 

 young colonies, varying not only in size but also in the general shape and appear- 

 ance of the polyp-bearing portion. The description given here is taken from 

 the largest specimen. 



The whole specimen is soft and flabby, measuring 3'9 cm. in height and 

 '21 cm. in greatest breadth. The polyp-liearing portion is very loose and open, 

 and is roughly oval in outline and flattened in one plane. 



The stalk, 11 cm. long, is soft and flabby. It gives off a number of 

 stolons from its base, and gradually widens out towards its uppei- end. 



The polyparium is very loose and open, roughly oval in shape, and consists 

 of a number of branches which arise from all sides of the stem. The largest 

 branches are given off on opposite sides in one plane. The branches give rise 

 by division to the polyp-bearing twigs. 



The polyps are arranged in groups of two to nine, and these again into 

 larger groups which are not at all regular, some forming a compact group with 

 a more or less flat surface, others forming very loose groups with an irregular 

 surface. The polyps are round, 0-56 mm. high and 048 mm. broad. They are 

 placed at a very obtuse angle on the stalk which may reach a length of 1 

 mm. The spicules are arranged on the polyp in eight double rows, laterally of 

 six pairs, dorsally an<l ventrally of five pairs of converging spicules. They have 



