ALCYONARIA. 333 



3 to 4 millim., those of tho type spccimon of the species 5 millim. 

 Studer (I. c. p. 636) assigns to this form a species from New Guinea 

 with orange-red polype-heads and spicules 2-5 millim. in maximum 

 length, -which appears to be specifically distinct from it. The dark 

 colour of the stem of the present specimen is perhaps simply a case 

 of local variation, hut may perhaps be the normal condition, lost in tho 

 original spirit-specimen. Another point of divergence is the usually 

 single spicule projecting above the polype-cell at one side ; in 

 the type specimen there are usually two spicules here. 



Hah. Port Denison, Queensland, 3-4 fms. ; bottom, sand and 

 rock. 



5. Spongodes studeri. (Plate XXXVII. figs. A, A', a-a" .) 



Spongodes spinosa, Studer, MB. Ak. Berlin, 1878, p. 030; nee 

 Spoggodes spinosa. Gray. 



Head relatively large, laterally compressed, sharply demarcated 

 from the pedicle. Greatest diameter of head at least three times 

 that of pedicle. Pedicle cylindrical, weak to moderately strong. 

 Common axis of head dividing into from (J to 12 strong lobes, of 

 varying distinctness in different specimens ; lobes dividing almost 

 immediately into a large number of lobules, slightly horizontally 

 expanded at their free end. Terminal lobules each presenting a 

 mass of from 4 to 9 small round polype-heads, closely aggregated. 

 Each polype usually accompanied by one stout projecting spicule on 

 its external aspect, but the lobule usually has but two or three 

 really prominent spicules, which form a kind of calyx to the lobule ; 

 the remaining ones, being shorter, are inconspicuous, as a rule. 

 The largest spicules project from 1 to 2 millim. beyond their 

 polypes. Colour of stem dirty white, sometimes crimson, that 

 of surface of axis of the head and its subdivisions white or pale 

 pinkish, of polypes ( where not removed by the action of the spirit) 

 either claret-colour or deep fiery orange-red (in one case the 

 polypes are Avhite, but the lobules are tipped with orange-red). 



Spicules of general axis of head mostly more or less longitudinally 

 arranged: — (i.) Pusiform, undulating, rather bluntly terminated, 

 beset with monticular tubercles, usually terminally roughened or 

 divided, about -02 to '035 millim. in height, often arranged in ap- 

 proximately annular series round the spicule, about 5 in number 

 in the semidiameter of the middle of the spicule ; size about 3 by '3 

 millim. Also (ii.), as (i.) but smaller, with tubercles crowded towards 

 ends and usually smaller than in (i.), simple (not rough) or almost 

 so ; size about 1-5 by "15 millim. Spicules of lobules : — (iii.) Large 

 "main" spicule fusiform, almost straight, fairly sharp at each end, 

 covered with low tubercles (not exceeding -18 millim. in height), 

 about 4 to a semidiameter in the middle of the spicule ; tubercles 

 simple and monticular towards the middle, sharp and directed for- 

 ward near the external end, where they gradually diminish in 

 size, becoming usually very scanty in numbers, or reduced to mere 



