225 



"(3) The collar spicules are curved, sharp or blunt, pointed spindles with a 

 few distant spines, 0"3 mm. x 002 mm. ; 03o mm. x 003. 



" (4) The tentacle si^icules are slightly spinose mostly on the convex side and 

 frequently dentate at the apex, 01 mm. x 002 mm. ; 015 mm. x 003 mm. 



"This species differs from B. j>hllippi in the smaller size of the polyps and 

 from B. moUh in s|)ieular characters" (Whitelegge). 



Bebryce mollis, Philippi. Plate IX. figs. 14, 15. 



= B. studerl, Whitelegge. 



= B. philipj)}, Studer. 



We refer to this species, as established by de Philippi in " Archiv. f. 

 Naturgesch.," Bd. i. p. 35, 1842, several small colonies the largest of which are 

 70 mm., 65 mm. and 60 mm. in length, and 45 mm., 70 mm. and 50 mm. in 

 breadth respectively. 



The branching in all cases is confined to one plane, and the branches arise 

 for the most part at right angles, but after a longer or sliorter distance run sub- 

 parallel to the main stem. This mode of branching is repeated in the secondaries. 

 In all the specimens one of the lowest primary branches is quite as strong as 

 the main stem and in one case exceeds it in length. 



The axis is horny, fibrous and comparatively slender ; it is dark brown in 

 the older parts but becomes paler and more delicate in the branches, eventually 

 attaining an almost thread-like fineness in the twigs. 



The coenenchyma is moderately thick and when viewed with a lens presents 

 a characteristically glistening and arenaceous appearance. There seem to be 

 two distinct layers of spicules. 



The polyps are alternate or subopposite, but in some places are so disposed 

 as to appear in irregular loose spirals around the stem and branches. The twigs 

 terminate with two almost opposite polyps which are generally larger than the 

 others. The verrucce are sub-cylindrical and about 1 mm. in height and 1 mm. 

 in diameter at the base. The anthocodire are completely retractile, and on con- 

 traction the verrucfe show all stages from a distinct eight-rayed figure to its 

 complete absence. On the anthocodia3 there is a collaret of curved spicules 

 and surmounting this are eight groups of two or three converging spindles 

 enclosing an acute angle with a smaller spicule in the interspace. On the aboral 

 surface of the tentacles the spicules are arranged " en chevron ". The colour of 

 all the specimens is creamy-white. 



The classification of these specimens was a matter of considerable difficulty, 

 but we have thought it advisable to refer them to B. nujUis and suggest the 

 abolition of B. philippi, Studer, and B. stnderi, Whitelegge. 



B. p/iilippi differs from B. mollis only in details of spiculation. B. studeri 



29 



