ALCYONAKIA. 295 



diameter of the disc varies considerably, O'l millim., 0'15 milliin., 0'2 milliin., 

 and 0'25 millim. 



In some cases the boss is borne on a distinct stalk, and this type measures 

 0'25 millim. in height by 0'2 millim. in the diameter of the disc Some small spicules 

 are capstan-like, double clubs in fact, and various transitional forms show a gradual 

 reduction of one-half of the capstan till only a boss is left, or not even that. 



In the polyps there are curved tuberculate spindles, 0'25 millim. in length. 



The spicules are so characteristic that we have no hesitation in referring this 

 specimen to the genus Bebryce, and it cannot be identified with B. mollis, VON KOCH 

 (1887), or B. studeri, WHITELEGGE (1897), or B. philippii, STUDER. HICKSON has 

 reported Bebryce, sp. (?) from the Maldives ; B. nwllis is Mediterranean ; B. studeri was 

 obtained at Funafuti ; B. philippii from the Arafura Sea a remarkable distribution. 



This seems to be a somewhat variable species, and the five specimens obtained 

 differ considerably in general appearance, in the degree of prominence assumed by the 

 verrucse, in their distance apart, and in the shapes and sizes of the spicules. In all 

 cases, however, the characteristic Bebryce spicules are unmistakable. 



In a fragment of a greyish colour, 23 millims. in length, with two short branches, 

 the verrucse are usually about 1 millim. apart, along one line, and seem to occur 

 equally all round the branches. Their diameter is 1 millim., and that of the light 

 brown non-calcareous axis is the same. 



We made a study of two other specimens. The more complete of the two 

 represents a young colony, the other is a fragment of a large colony. In both the 

 branching is confined to one plane, the branches and twigs being given off at an 

 angle which varies little from a right angle. The branches grow out for a short 

 distance in this direction and then bend upwards. 



The tips of the twigs and the branches are clavate, but in one or two cases they 

 are flattened. The two specimens present a greenish appearance, due to the presence 

 of a siliceous sponge on the branches. The sponge has covered each branch with a 

 thick coating, through which the tips of the verrucse are seen. The spicules of the 

 sponge are monaxonial and are oxytylotes. 



The general coenenchyma is thin and granular in appearance, and is composed of 

 small spherical or irregularly oval bodies covered with numerous rough warts. There 

 are also some more definite spindles, but they are very few in number. 



The axis is horny and black in the lower parts, becoming lighter in colour in the 

 twigs and younger portions of the branches. The axis is marked by irregular ridges 

 and has a core of lighter coloured material. This core diminishes in size with the 

 age of the portion of the axis. It is crossed by a number of bands, thus appearing 

 to be chambered, and a longitudinal section shows a number of curved lamellte 

 crossing the core at about equal distances. 



The verrucas occur in the younger portions on all sides of the twigs and branches, 

 but in the older portions they are confined more or less to the lateral faces. They 



