EEPORT ON THE ALCYONARIA. 223 



Spongodes pumilio, Studer. 



Spongodes pumilio, Studer, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., eer. 6, vol. i. p. 70. 



The colony forms a low, lobose mass, 25 mm. high and 65 mm. broad ; of a wliitish 

 colour with red polyp heads surmounted by bundles of silvery white spicules. 



A short trunk divides near its base into several thick branches which are horizontalh* 

 expanded. Each of these branches divides at the end into several divergent twigs, first, 

 however, giving off lateral twigs on two sides. The terminal twigs speedily divide into 

 little twigs which are arranged in a cor3Tiibose manner and bear bundles of polyps, in 

 which each calyx is surmounted by a spicule 2 to 2"5 mm. in length. The heads 

 are red, the lateral bundles of spicules white. In each bundle of polj'ps one polyp 

 appears to be more strongly developed than the others, and to project above them. 



Habitat. — Enoshima, Japan ; collected b}" Dr. Doderlein. 



Spongodes rigida, Studer. 



Spongodes rigida, Studer, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 6er. 6, voL i. p. 71. 



The colony is a loosely -ramified, shortly pedunculate, head-like mass, of rigid consis- 

 tence. The colour of the mass is dark purple, that of the polyp heads yellow. Height of 

 the colony 33 mm., diameter 35 mm. The short, cylindrical stalk divides at a height of 

 1 2 mm. into a number of branches coming ofi" on all sides. The branches are directed in 

 part horizontally outwards, in part obliquely upwards, and bear at the end divergent 

 twigs which divide in a corymbose manner into the polyp-bearing terminal twigs. Each 

 of the latter bears a bundle of three to five polyps, whose heads are supported by a spicule 

 2 to 3 mm. in length. Each head possesses an eight-radiate operculum, composed of 

 yellow spindles, 0'25 mm. in length. Numerous spindles occur embedded throughout the 

 entire mesoderm, which thereby acquires a firm, rigid condition. 



Habitat. — Japan ; collected by Dr. Doderlein. 



Spongodes coccinea, Studer. 



Spongodes coccinea, Studer, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 6, vnl. i. p. 71. 



The colony forms an irregular, lobose mass, placed on the end of a short barren stalk 

 which has a leathery consistence. The head is thickly covered with polyps and is of a 

 dark carmine-red colour. Height of the colony 45 mm. Diameter 45 mm. Length of 

 the stalk 17 mm. 



The ramification takes place in such a fashion that the main stem divides into a few 

 (four) large, flat branches, speedily giving off along their course and from their ends 

 smaller secondary branches, which divide into smaller secondary and terminal twigs. 



