ALCYONARIA. 283 



Specimen A. Specimen B. 



Length of trunk (bare part of stem) . 21 millims. 32 millims. 



Diameter of same 10 ,, 13 ,, 



Length of head 52 ,, 55 ,, 



Maximum width of same 32 ,, 41 ,, 



The trunk (or bare part of the stem) has a leathery rigid character and a rough 

 granular appearance. It is slightly thicker at the top, and at its lower end gives off 

 thin rhizoid-like outgrowths. In specimen B these are also given off for a short 

 distance up the trunk. 



The stem gives off larger and smaller branches, and divides at the tip into 2 or 3 

 branches. It appears longitudinally streaked, owing to the disposition of the large 

 spicules. The lower branches are flattened (6 in one, 4 in the other). The others 

 rise at right angles to the stem, the upper ones being directed obliquely upwards. 

 Some of the lower ordinary branches are slightly flattened. The 4 to 6 flat branches 

 are recurved and directed downwards. 



Locality : Deep water off Galle. 



Spongodes dendrophyta, WRIGHT and STUDER. 



This species is represented by several specimens, one of which is evidently a young 

 form. The base of attachment consists of rhizoid-like outgrowths. The lowest 

 branches are flattened from above downwards, and bear the polyps on the edge of the 

 flattened portion. The appearance of the stem in the older specimens is quite 

 granular, but this gives place in the younger form to a slightly stringy appearance, 

 due to the spicules being larger. In the older specimens the polyps are more 

 markedly arranged in bundles, while they have a tendency to stand singly in the 

 younger. Several of the lower branches are -colourless, and there is a great 

 variability in the colour of the spicules. 



The geographical range of this species is worthy of note, as its previous record is 

 from the Philippines. 



Locality : Gulf of Manaar. 



Spongodes splendens, KUKENTHAL Plate I., fig. 2. 



This species is represented by numerous stiff and rigid colonies. The following 



measurements are taken from two of them : - 



A. B. 



Length of trunk 2 9 '5 millims. 17 millims. 



Diameter of same 13'5 12 ,, 



Length of head 69 30 



Maximum width of same .... 61 ,, 40 ,, 



The stem in its lower portion is tough and rigid in character and granular in 



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