TKOF. THOMSON AXD MR. McQUEEN — REPORT ON THE ALCYONARIANS. 101 



(2) in the fact that only one " Stiitzbiindel " spicule projects beyond 

 the polyp-liead ; the tip of the •' StiUzbiiudel" spicules is smooth. 

 like that of the chief " Stiltzbiiiuiel " spicules in S. mayi ; 



(',y) in the disposition of the snnerficinl corticiil spicules, which are 

 predominantly lonrjiiudinal in S. mayi ; and 



(4) in the character of the spicules of the cortex, wliieh are curved 

 spindles, while in S. mayi there are, in addition to spindles, 

 clubs, four-rayed spicules, and irregular bodies. 



Jir. Tiie specimens differ superficially from S. klunzingeri : 



(1) since that species is for the most part developetl in one ]ilaiie 



with an almost suppressed trunk ; 



(2) in the mode of branching and in the disposition of the polyps 



in crowded bundles of 6-11 in each bundle, whereas in 

 S. klunziiu/eri they are only 1-3 in a liundle. 

 Tliey differ more intimately ; 



(1) in the nature and arrangement of the anthocodial spicules, wbieli 



in S. klunzingeri are in rows of 8-10 with the uppermost twd 

 very much longer ; 



(2) in having an entirely different " Stiitzbiindel '' made usually of 



two spicules ; and 



(3) inasmuch as the spicules of the canal-walls are broad and flat 



spinose spindles. 

 In the specimens the spicules of the canal-walls are varied and may 

 be grouped as follows : 



(A) spindles of undulating contour, or halfmoon-shaped, or tending 



to be club-shaped ; 



(B) spindles forked at one end (bicusjiidsj, transitional to tri- 



radiates ; 



(C) triradiate forms; 



(D) irregular bodies with four arms, probably derived from ('.. 



All spinose. 



J\'. The colonies have a great superficial resemblance to S. ehrenhergi, 

 but differ from it in having G-11 polyps in each bundle, while 

 S. ehrenhergi has 5-8. 

 Xhey differ more intimately : 



(1) inasmuch as S. ehrenhergi has only 4-5 pairs of spicules in 

 each double row, each about 03 mm. in length, the uppermost 

 0'5 mm. with long oblique spines ; 

 ,(2) in the nature of the projecting spicules of the " Stiitzbiindel,'' 

 which in S. ehrenhergi has a spinose tip, whereas in Iheso 

 specimens the tip is smooth ; 

 [61] 



