192 PERCY SLADEN TEUST EXPEDITION. 



The specimen seems to agree with Studer's Sqihonogorgia pendula in its general 

 characters. It is thought justifiable, however, to create for it a new variety, raniosa, 

 on account of its bushy habit, the larger size of the polyps, their heavier and more 

 complex armature, their longer " stalks," and their different arrangement at the tips of 

 the twigs. 



Locality. Providence, 58-78 fms. 



S. pendida recorded from Amboina. 



59. Siphonogorgia koellikeri, Wright and Studer, var. n. rtigosa. (Plate 14. 

 fig. 5.) 



Por description of S. koellikeri see : — 

 Wright and Studer : 'Challenger' Reports, xxxi. (1889) p. 236, pi. 24. fig. 2. 



There are five small specimens (from 2-4 cm. in height) which agree in a genernl 

 way with Wright and Studer's diagnosis of Siphonogorgia koellikeri, but show certain 

 peculiarities that seem to make it necessary to establish a distinct variety. 



The general build is of a much more massive type than that of S. koellikeri, recalling 

 rather that of S. robmta by its thick furrowed stem and short thick branches. One 

 very young specimen, however, has a more slender form. 



Further, the polyps project more conspicuously than in S. koellikeri. In many cases 

 they are completely retracted, but, where visible, they present by their creamy whiteness 

 a strong contrast to the crimson-red of stem and branches. Careful examination failed 

 to bring out any distinctive difference between the arrangement of the anthocodial 

 spicules here and in S. koellikeri. In both cases rather small white spindles are arranged 

 in a sei'ies of eight " points," each formed of a varying number (4-6 is common) of 

 converging pairs. There is the usual band of horizontal spindles below these points, 

 and tlie whole is retractile into the distinct verruca formed l)y tlie red spicules of the 

 coenenchyma. 



The likeness of S. koellikeri in the spicule-ai'rangement of the anthocodial point is one 

 of the chief reasons for regarding these specimens as a variety of that species rather 

 than as a distinct species. 



The spicules of the coenenchyma are long, red, warty spindles, visible at once to tlie 

 naked eye. The following measurements were taken of length and breadth in mil- 

 limetres :— 2-26 X" 26, 2-12 X -3, 1-7 X -2, -gSx-lS, •62X-07. Tliey are markedly longer 

 and more slender in proportion than those of S. koellikeri, and show a further difference 

 in the more scattered arrangement, simpler form, and comparatively small size of the 

 warts. As to colour, it may be well to note that, while in S. koellikeri proper the 

 spicules are of strong orange or even yellow shade, those of the riigosa variety are 

 vermilion with an occasional crimson tinge. 



In the variety rugosa the spicules occur much more sparsely, and run more irregularly 

 over the surface of the stem and branches than in S. koellikeri itself. Prequently they 

 fall into groups of three or four together, w Inch may show a sort of " cross-hatched " 

 arrangement. 



Localities. Providence, 50 fms. ; Amirante, 22-85 fms. 



S. koellikeri recorded from Amboina ; deep water off Galle. 



