74 



The spicules (of the larger specimen) are of two kinds : — 

 J St, long narrow warted spindles (Plate IV., Fig. A'), 0.3 m. 

 by .025 mm., pinkish in colour, occurring in the tentacles and 

 stomodaeum ; 2nd, irregular spicules occurring in the super- 

 ficial parts of the coenenchym. These are principally long 

 double clubs (Plate IV., Fig. A'), and their average size is 

 about .07 mm. by .06 mm. In the deeper parts of the coenen- 

 chym the spicules are similar in many respects to the spicules 

 of the tentacles, but many of them are so much longer that 

 they assume the shape which should be called technically that 

 of needles. I have measured some of these that were over 

 0.5 mm. in length. 



One specimen was searched for the sexual organs but was 

 found to bear none. 



The type specimen of Alcyonium antarcticum was obtained 

 by the ChaUcnger in 75 fathoms off Heard Island. It was 

 considerably larger than either of the two specimens from the 

 Cape, being 130 mm. in greatest diameter, and rising to a 

 height of 55 mm. A quite similar form, but probably a 

 young colony was found by Studer at the Cascade Ridge in 

 N.E. Kerguelen, on the skin of a Macrocystis ; its colour in 

 life was noted as " pale red." Unfortunately the specimen 

 was lost. 



ACROPHYTUM CLAVIGER. 

 Nov. GEN. ET SPEC. PlATE IV. B.B' 



Two specimens out of three obtained in Algoa Bay at a 

 depth of 26 fathoms were sent to me. They must be placed 

 in a new genus, for which I propose the name Acrophytum *. 



Three genera belonging to the family Alcyonidae have 

 been described as being dimorphic Sarcophytum (Lesson), 

 Lobophytum (v. Marzeller), and Anthomastus (Verrill). 



The genus Anthomastus should not, in my opinion, be 

 recognised, as there is not sufficient ground for separating the 

 species on which it was founded from Sarcophytum. The 



* I am aware that the name Acrophytum has been previously used in 

 Botany, but the species have been merged in the genus Cordiceps and the name 

 does not appear in the Index Kewensis. 



