105 



same level, a third large bi-anch is given off. The large branches are short and 

 thick and divide into smaller branches which by their division give rise to the 

 polyp-bearing twigs. From the surface of the stem similar small branches are 

 given off The lower branches are slightly flattened but are not reflexed. 



The polyjis are arranged in groups of five to eleven and these again into 

 larger grouj)s, which have a flat upper surface. The polyps are high, rounded, 

 oval bodies, measuring 0'52 mm. in height and ()<M nnii. in Ijreadth and are 

 placed at an obtuse angle on the stalk which may reach a length of about 1 mm. 

 The spicules are arranged in eight double rows in each of which there are six 

 to seven pairs of converging spicules ; in addition there are a few placed almost 

 horizontally at the base, and in the space between the double rows there are 

 usually one or two spicules which run parallel to the upper spicules in each 

 double row. They are flattened spindles, usually curved, with few small spines 

 on the surface, and measure 'on an average about 0'24 mm. in length. 



The Stutzbiindel consists of a number of spicules which form a sheath for 

 the back of the polyp-stalk. The spicules average about 1 "6 mm. and scarcely 

 project beyond the polyp-head. In a few the spicules may reach 19 mm. in 

 length and project for a distance of 0'32 mm. beyond the polyp-head. 



Cortical spicules : (a) In the stem there are straight or curved spindles 

 covered with numerous blunt rough spines, and often showing a branching at 

 one end, which produces Y- and X-shaped and tripod-like forms, and forms in 

 which the branches run in close contact throughout their whole length. The 

 spindles vary from 0"-18 to 1 '9 mm. in length and Q-Ufj to 0'17 mm. in breadth ; the 

 Y- and X-shaped forms vary from 0'(J to 16 mm. in length and the tripod forms 

 measure about 14 mm. in length. 



Canal-wall s])icules : {«) In the stem canals there are short thick spindles 

 either straight or curved, a few three-rayed forms, both series bearing blunt 

 spines on the surface, and a large number of flat, smooth, striated forms with 

 blunt teeth on the edges. The spindles measure from 0'48 to 0'(J8 mm. in length 

 and from 012 to 014 mm. in breadth ; the three-rayed forms may reach a length of 

 0-68 mm. ; and the flat, smooth forms vary from 008 to 024 mm. in length and 

 have an average breadth of 001 7 mm. 



Colour — The colour of the whole is white to semi-transparent, but several 

 of the polyps in each group have red spicules which are so arranged that the 

 larger groups have a fringe of red polyps. 



Locality : xVndamans (J. Wood-Mason). 



Dendronephthya inermis, Henderson. 



A large colony measuring 8 cm. in height and 6 cm. in breadth, with very 



large compact polyparium and short stalk. 

 14 



