THE ALC YON ARIA OF THE MALDIVES. 485 



anatomical comparison of the structure of the stomodaeum, mesenterial filaments, and canal 

 systems of- two or three distinct facies, and secondly, a numerical statement of the range of 

 variation in the length of the spicules of the Stiitzbundel, the number of anthocodiae on the 

 secondary branches and other measurable characters in the different parts of one large colony. 



The following is a list of the specimens sent to me of the genus Spongodes. 



From Miladumadulu, 24 fathoms ; in an E. passage. A small specimen about 30 mm. in 

 height, having the general form of S. splendens (Kiikenthal). Stalk and branches white, 

 anthocodiae pink. 



Another small specimen from the same atoll 20 fathoms, off the reef This is a little 

 larger than the first specimen. The colour of the anthocodiae is darker, and extends on to 

 the secondary branches, where it shades off into orange. 



From Mahlos Atoll, 23 fathoms. A small specimen, about 30 mm. in height, with divaricate 

 branches, having a close resemblance to the description given of Spongodes rubra (May) from 

 the Philippines. The stalk and branches are red. The spicules of the tentacles white. 



From the same atoll 22 fathoms, passage to N. of Fainu, two small specimens, one white 

 with purplish red supporting spicules, the other yellow with orange terminal branches. 



From Fadifolu, 25 fathoms. Middle of N. part of atoll. Two beautiful but small specimens 

 of a form similar to that described as Spongodes fiabellifera (W. and S.). They are of a deli- 

 cate shade of pale yellow, with white anthocodiae. 



From the same atoll 14 — 20 fathoms there are four specimens. Two are of a dusky-brown 

 colour, and are of the same facies as the two specimens mentioned. The other two are more 

 divaricate, with larger anthocodiae, and the colouring is very remarkable. The stalk is black 

 to very dark brown, the branches red, and the anthocodiae white. The form of gi'owth is very 

 similar to that of S. rubra (May). 



From the same atoll and dredging a very fine specimen 100 mm. in height with a stalk 

 30 mm. is preserved, coming nearest to Kiikenthal's species S. splendens. The stalk is yellow, 

 branches yellowish-red, terminal branches red, and the crown of tentacles white. 



From N. Male one specimen from 20 fathoms S.W. of atoll, and two specimens labelled 

 Hulule, Male A., answer to the description of Spongodes spinifera Holm. 



There can be little doubt that these specimens are closely related to the specimen upon 

 which Holm (13) founded his species, although they appear to be older and more fully developed 

 examples of it. The characteristic features of the species are (1) the enormous spicules of the 

 walls of the branches, (2) the very long projecting chief spicule of the Stiitzbiindel, and the dark 

 gold or yellow ochre colour. 



I may here call attention to two serious misprints in the literature of the species. In 

 Holm's paper (p. 39) the length of the spicules of the wall of the branches is given as 0'7 mm. 

 It is quite clear that the statement on p. 40 that these spicules may attain a length of 7 mm., 

 however, is the correct one. 



In Kiikenthal's table (15) of the species of Spongodes the length of these spicules is given 

 as 4 mm., an obvious misprint for 7 mm. 



The specimen from 20 fathoms is 100 mm. in height, with a stalk 35 mm. in length by 

 30 in diameter. The spicules of the wall of the branched portion of the colony are very 



