PROF. THOMSON AND MR. MCQUEEN — REPORT ON THE ALCYONABIANS. i'T 



polyp-l)earing twigs are clustered. The polyp-bearing twigs are in the Form 

 of catkins with a length of from O'S to I'o cm. The hasal catkins are stouter 

 anil more closely beset with polyps than the up])er. 



A notable diagnostic feature is the presence of rows of closely aggregated 

 small granular spicules in the tentacles, and continued on to the polyp-head 

 and polyp-stalk. 



More spicules are to be found in the cortex of the stem than in the cortex 

 of the main branches; consequently the stem is somewhat more rigid. 

 The spicules of the cortex include spindles with large spines ; the spindles 

 are sometimes curved, and the spines are in some cases longer on the convex 

 surface ; there are also spindles with few warts, irregular spinose bodies and 

 bicuspids, i. e. with two prongs or cusps. 



The following measurements were taken of length ami Ijrcadtli in milli- 

 metres : — 



Spinose spindles: 0-72 x 0-2; 0-55 X 0-13; 0.02 xO'l; 0--15xiil : 



0-37 X 0-12; 0-33 X 0-15; 0-29 x 0-12. 

 Spindles with few warts: 0-i2x 0-0.5; 0-37.5 xO'l ; 0-37x0-1 : 0-.3.5 x 



0-075; 0-35x0-1 ; 0-29x0-03; 0-25x0 1 ; 0-23x0-0.5. 

 Bicuspids: 0-47x0-275. 



The canal walls contain highly .spinose spindles, spindles with small wai-fs, 

 highly spinose club-shaped bodies, irregular spinose bodies, and bicuspids. 



The following measurements were taken of length and breadth in milli- 

 metres : — 



Highly spinose spindles (the spines being larger on the convex side) : 

 0-52x0-12 ; 0-4x0-075 ; 0-37x0-11 ; 0-35x0-1 ; 0-3x01 ; 

 0-3x0-15. 



Spindles with small warts: 1-02x0-22; 0-95x0-2; 0-85x0-175: 

 0-52x0-12; 0-32x0-1. 



Highly spinose club-shaped bodies : 0-32 x 0-15 ; 0-275 x Q- 1 75. 



Bicuspids: 0-42x0-175. 



Mr. Crossland notes that the specimen ajipeared whitish under water, [lalc 

 brown when brought up. 



Locality. — From a depth of thre(^ or four feet in the Coral-reef nf 

 Kiior Delaweb. 



LiTHOPHYTUM MACROSPICULATUM, n. Sp. (Plate 8. figS. 2 & 3.) 



From a stem rather less than 1 cm. high, with a breadth of 2*5 cm. 

 three primary branches fake origin. One of these, after a course of half a 

 centimetre, divides dichotomously into two branches of 4 and 5 cm. in 

 length respectively. The other primary branches are 6 and 4 cm. in length. 



Polyps are not borne cither on the main stem or on the main branches, hut 



[57] b* 



