THOMSON AND RUSSELL— AXIFEEA. 151 



(d) Curved spindles with numerous tubercles: 0-47 X 0-07, 0-35 X 005. 



{e} Irregular forms derivable from spindles, e.g. somewhat liockey-club-like, with a 



smooth handle. 

 (/) Numerous forms of minute irregular nodules, O-OS-O'OS mm. in diameter. 

 We have given, in tlie second part of the " Alcyonaria of the Indian Ocean," reasons 

 for uniting B. phllij)pl, Studer, and B. studeri, Whitelegge, with B. mollis, Philippi. 

 Localities. Providence, (D 3) 29 fms., (D4) 50-78 fms. 



Another specimen shows two main stems facing one another, and enclosing with their 

 branches a hemispherical space. 

 Locality. Amh'ante (E 15), 39 fms. 



A beautiful specimen from Providence measures 14 cm. in height by 15 cm. in 

 breadth. 



Locality. Providence (D 11), 50 fms. 



Previously recorded as B. mollis, Philippi, from Mediterranean {wn Koch) and from 

 Andamans {Thomson and Simpson) ; as B. philippi, Studer, from Arafura Sea, 19 fms. 

 {Studer, 1889) ; as B. studeri, Whitelegge, from Funafuti. 



22. Bebryce acanthoides, sp. n. (Plate 7. figs. 3 & 6.) 



Under this title we include three specimens wliich are referable to the genus Behryce, 

 though the general appearance is somewhat markedly different from that of other species. 

 The two larger specimens are portions of substantial colonies, with thick stiff branches 

 sometimes anastomosing, and with prominent polyps standing out stiffly, like thorns, on 

 all sides of the axis. The polyps are in irregular spirals, and they are separated from one 

 another by about one-third of the circumference. The third specimen is a young colony 

 3 cm. in height, with one branch. 



The surface of the colony has the usual arenaceous or roe-like appearance, and the 

 colour varies from creamy white to light brown. 



The branches of the larger specimens are 3-4 mm. in thickness, of which about 

 2-2-6 mm. is occupied by the dark brown to black axis. The crater-like verrucse project 

 for about 0*5 mm., and the anthocodise for the same distance beyond. In some cases 

 the margin of the verruca sliows eight teeth. The anthocodiae show a high operculum — 

 a " crown " of four or five rows — and " points " of converging pairs of curved spindles, 

 of which the two lowest are the largest. No spicules were seen on the tentacles. 

 The coenenchyma spicules include the following types: — ■ 



{a) Thick warty spindles : 0-19 X 0-08, 02 xO'll. 



(6) Warty clubs of about the same dimensions. 



(c) Spheroidal forms with close-set warts, or occasionally with knobs: 017x0 11, 



018x0-15. 

 {d) A few stud-like forms with a short waist, and with one end distinctly smaller 



than the other, and warted in a diiferent way. 

 {e) A few cruciate types : 0061 X 0064. 



