14 



.slightly strouger spicules are arranged more regularly iu a lougitudiual direction, 

 but they are not sufficiently marked to warrant their being classed as Stiitzblindel 

 spicules. On the authocodial cup the spicules are arranged in eight irregular 

 triangles rising from a ring of transverse spicules, and thus recalling the arrange- 

 ment of the sjjicules iu the anthocodiae of Chironephtliya. On the aboral surface 

 of each tentacle there is a band of longitudinally placed spicules, and these liands, 

 when the tentacles are folded in, form a low eight-rayed rudimentary operculum. 



The spicules of the outer wall of the stalk are large spindles. In the lower 

 part near the base they lie irregularly and somewhat transversely, while in the 

 upper part they become more regular and are placed longitudinally. 



The spicules of the outer wall of the stalk are straight or curved spindles, 

 thickly covered with very rough prominent warts. The measurements of length 

 and breadth in millimetres are : 



3-4x0-35; 2-2x0-25; r9x0-22; IxQ-fo. 



The spicules of the canal walls in the lower {)art of the stalk are very large 

 spindles, thickly covered with very rough warts, and either straight, curved, or 

 twisted. The measurements of length and breadth in millimetres are : 



7x07; 7x0-6; 6-5x0-8; 3-3x0-5; 3x0-6; 0-7x0-2; 0-4x0-l. 



The spicules of the polyps and polyp stalks are warty spindles either straight 

 or curved, or somewhat "golf-club" shaped ; the warts are prominent and rough. 

 The smaller spicules are freer from projections, but some have almost serrate 

 edges. Their measurements are : — • 



1-8x0-175; 1-5x0-2; r2x0-15; 1x0-15; 0-4x0-03; 0-12x0-02; 0-1x0-02. 



Systematic Position. — The infolding of the tentacles when at rest, the 

 presence of the large canals in the main stem and branches, the thick external 

 layer of the main stem, show that this form belongs to the Nephthyida3. Adopt- 

 ing Kiikenthal's revised classification of this family, the specimen must be 

 placed, owing to the absence of Stlitzbundel spicules, iu his first division. In 

 this division he included. A, those with the "canal walls not thickly filled 

 with spicules," and B, those with the "canal walls thickly filled with spicules." 

 As there are abundant spicules iu the canal walls of our specimen, it must be 

 placed in the B group and in the second section of this group, which is 

 characterised by the polyps occurring singly or in Inmdles. In this section there 

 are two genera, distinguished by the absence or presence of an irregular internal 

 axis built up of spicules closely packed together. As the present specimen has no 

 trace of an internal axis, it must Ije placed near the genus Lcmnalia. From this 

 it differs in several respects, e.g. in having no " quadriradiate double-stars " in the 

 wall of the trunk or stalk. It seems necessary to refer it to a new genus, Sterea- 

 cantliia, which may be thus defined : 



Colony upright, consisting of two parts: (1) a bare densely spiculose truidv 

 composed of large thiu-walled longitudinal canals, with fused walls but with no 



