122 



The stalk is about 2 cm. in length, somewhat leathery in texture, and more 

 or less rigid. Its upper portion is hidden by the reflexed flattened branches, 

 and from the base it gives off a number of slender stolons. 



Only the lowest part of the polyparium is left. Of its branches two are 

 flattened and leaf-like, and almost surround the stem, leaving free only two 

 small spaces between their bases. Directly Ijelow each open space at a 

 slightly lower level a small branch arises with cylindrical lower part and 

 flattened upper part. Above the open space at one side a small branch with 

 slightly flattened stalk arises. The arrangement of the polyps seems to be in 

 small groups of about six ; they are placed on short stalks. 



The polyps are low, measuring about 0-36 mm. in height and 0"42 mm. in 

 breadth, and are placed at a right angle to the stalk. The spicules are arranged 

 in eight double rows, in each lateral row there are three to four pairs and in the 

 dorsal rows two to three pairs. In each lateral row one of the uppermost pair 

 projects for a distance of 0'09 mm. beyond the polyp, and has a length of about 

 27 mm. 



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

 straight, and averaging about 2-2 mm. in length. 



(fj) In the stalk there are spindles which are often branched, Y- and L- 

 shaped forms, covered with prominent rough thorns. In addition there are 

 smaller smooth spindles and irregular star-shaped forms with few spines. The 

 spindles measure up to 1"8 mm. in length by 0'21 mm. in breadth. 



Canal-wall spicules : In the stalk there are spindles, three- and four-rayed 

 forms, all l)eing rather smooth and bearing few prominent blunt spines. The 

 spindles measure up to 15 mm. in length and 0"15 mm. in breadth. In addition 

 there are a few flat irregular spindle-shaped to star-shaped forms. 



Locality : Ye, Burma. 



The following species, which have been described by Miss Harrison ^ from 

 the earliest " Investigator " collection, are included for the sake of completeness. 



" A. Forms belonging to the Divaricate certimmis group of Kiikenthal. 



"Spongodes thomsoni, Harrison. 



" Branches given off' from whole or greater ])art of both sides of stem in 

 one plane ; branches subdivided into twigs each bearing bunches of three to 

 ten polyps ; polyp-stalks 1-2 mm. long, borne at right airgles to stalk. One 

 spicule projects 1 mm. beyond each polyp-head. Spicules of anthocodia in 

 eight double rows arranged ' en chevron,' one large spicule to each point, other 

 smaller spicules irregularly disposed. 



1 Harrison, "Journ. Linn. Soc. Zool.," vol, sxx., March, 1908. 



