2 



Sympodium decipiens, 11. sp. Plate IX. fig. 8. 



Thi< species is represented by a large greyish -white specimen creeping over 

 and encircling a vegetable axis. 



The polyps are large, occurring either singly or in groups of two or three on a 

 membranous stolon. They consist of a retractile and a non-retractile portion, the 

 latter with a maximum length of 7 mm. 



The whole surface of the stolon and of the polyps is closely covered by large 

 spicules which are visible to the naked eye. 



The spicules are long curved spindles or rods often abruptly truncated at one 

 end and covered with numerous rough wart-like projections. There are two types : 



1. Rather thick rods, curved or straight, often bluntly rounded at one end and 

 tapering to the other, thus tending towards a club-like form, thickly covered with 

 rough warts and varying in length from 0'3-1'2 mm., and in breadth from 

 G'09-0-2 mm. 



2. Longer and more slender rods or spindles with fewer and simpler 

 projections, varying in length from "2 5-0 "8 mm., and in breadth from 

 O'O 6-G'l mm. 



In both cases there is often a slight bifurcation of the ends of the spicule. 

 This species closely resembles Sympodium indicum, but differs from it (1) in the 

 larger size of the spicules, and (2) in the arrangement of the polyps. 



Locality: Andamans ; 271 fathoms. 



Sympodium incrustans, n. sp. Plate II. fig. 7. 



This species is represented by two greyish-white fragments which cover a 

 siliceous sponge spicule. 



The stolon is a thin membrane spreading over and completely surround- 

 ing the spicule. It is granular in appearance and bears few polyps, which 

 occur irregularly at wide intervals. The calyces are marked by eight longi- 

 tudinal ridges which extend up their whole length, and thus produce a 

 crenate appearance at the margin of the cup. On the ridges the spicules are 

 arranged with their long axes parallel, or slightly inclined, to the length of the 

 ridge. The calyces are from 1-3 '9 mm. in length and from 1-2 mm. in basal 

 diameter. 



The non-retractile portion is also closely covered with spicules which are not 

 arranged in any particular order. Just below the tentacles they form more or less 

 regular bands which extend up the aboral surface of each tentacle, on which the 

 spicules are at first arranged in chevron, but are soon disposed with their long axes 

 parallel to the length of the tentacle. 



The spicules are spindles, either straight or curved, covered by thick prominent 



