222 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



the maro-in with polyi^s, a number of conical branches. These branches together form a 

 rounded head, the middle branches being higher than the lower ones. Each branch is 

 covered with relatively large polyp heads, each of which is surmounted by a bundle of 

 spicules. These heads are arranged on the branches in close spirals, the branches thus 

 acquiring the form of spikes. The colony is rigid, the wall of the trunk is encrusted with 

 large spindle-shaped spicules. 



Colour in spirit, greyish-white. 



Habitat. — Philippine Islands ; collected by Professor Semper. 



Spongodes glomerata, Studer. 



Spongodes glomerata, Studer, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 6, vol. i. p. 70. 



The colony forms a low stock, which ajjpears to be divided into several spherical 

 lobes. It is of a whitish colour with reddish polyp heads. Height 12 mm., breadth 

 45 mm. The short stem divides shortly above the base into diverging branches, which 

 are covered from the commencement with polyp-bearing lobules. These arise from a 

 very rapid ramification of the twigs which bear bundles of polyps at the ends. The 

 lobules are spherical, 6 to 9 mm. in diameter, and contain up to twenty polyp heads, each 

 surmounted by a stout spicule 2 mm. long. The folded tentacles, armed with small 

 spicules arranged en chevron, form an eight-lobed operculum. The consistence of the 

 whole is soft and yielding. The species is most nearly related to Spongodes savignyii 

 (Ehrbg.), which also it most resembles in external habit. 



Habitat. — Japan ; collected by Dr. Doderlein. 



Spongodes punicea, Studer. 



Spongodes punicea, Studer, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 6, vol. i. p. 70. 



An upright, branched colony, 50 mm. high and 40 mm. in diameter, with a short 

 stem and a lobose head crowded with polyps. Colour purplish-red with yellowish-white 

 polyp heads. The stem rises from an in crusting base. It has a thickness of 10 mm., 

 and a height of 10 mm., and then divides into thick branches which, after a short course, 

 terminate in somewhat flattened twigs. Previous to the final ramification they give off 

 also several small branchlets, which come off at right angles. The ramification of the 

 terminal twigs, which are about 2 mm. thick, takes place in a corymbose manner, in 

 which the three to six terminal twigs bear the polyp heads laterally, the poljrp heads 

 being surmounted by bundles of spicules. The terminal twigs diverging, form separate 

 lobes 5 to 10 mm. in diameter, which bear ten to twenty calyces. The two large spicules 

 at the base of the tentacles converge A-like and form an operculum. 



Habitat, — Japan ; collected by Dr. Doderlein. 



