ALCYONAEIANS. — BRIGGS. 69 



rise to cylindrical branches, which may remain simple, but 

 usually bear terminal twigs with swollen and rounded ends. 

 The twigs have a diameter of 5 mm. near the tips. 



A small specimen, evidently the terminal portion of a 

 large colony, agrees with the third of the specimens described 

 by Simpson in its robust and bushy appearance, the marked 

 upward growth, and the palmate terminations of the twigs. 



The remaining four colonies, whose measurements in 

 centimetres are included in the following table, correspond 

 most closely with the largest specimen : — 



The axis consists of white calcareous internodes with 

 longitudinal fluting, and short brown horny nodes. The 

 longitudinal ridges of the calcareous joints are dentate. Near 

 the base of the main stem the calcareous joints have lengths 

 of 5-6 mm., and the horny nodes 1-5-2 mm. In the branches 

 the internodes are 7 mm. in length, the nodes being reduced 

 to about 1 mm. The branches arise from the calcareous 

 joints. 



The coenenchyma is very thick and fleshy, in some parts 

 2 mm. It is very compact and smooth, and does not show 

 any indication of the presence of the jointed axis. The 

 polyps occur all over the surface ; they are numerous, and 

 about 0-5 mm. apart. There are no verrucse. 



There is considerable variety in the spicules of the coenen- 

 chyma : — (1) rods with warty knobs irregularly arranged — 

 •157 X -105 mm. ; -140 x -070 mm. ; -105 x -070 mm. ; (2) 

 spicules of similar form to (1) but with the w^arts arranged in 

 whorls— -157 x -080 mm. ; -150 x -080 mm. ; -140 x •07dmm. ; 

 (3) tri- and quadri-radiate forms — -140 x- 105 mm. ; 122 x 

 •122 mm. ; -105 x-087 mm. ; (4) stellate and irregular forms 

 —087 X -087 mm. ; -087 x -052 mm. ; -079 x -052 mm. 



The colour is light brown. Associated with the majority 

 of the colonies are specimens of the bivalve Pteria chinensis, 

 Leach. 



Localities. — Off the coast of Queensland (" Endeavour "). 

 Murray Island, Torres Strait (Austr. Mus. Coll.). 



