8 



tissue support ftl liy numerous elongated rod-like spicules. These canals gradual ly 

 converge towards the centre of the pileus, finally forming a series of straight 

 parallel canals running down the stalk. 



The spicules are very uniform throughout, the main differences ] icing in the 

 relative size. 



The normal type is rod-like, usually straight, occasionally slightly bent, 

 tapering to a point at both ends. The surface is smooth, or covered with slight 

 projections most numerous towards the ends. Besides these, there are much 

 smaller, very irregular spicules. In the outer tissue of the pileus there are long 

 spicules with a few of the irregular type ; in the deeper tissue of the pileus they 

 are similar but slightly larger. In the stalk the simple and the irregular forms 

 are almost equally well represented. In the tentacles the spicules are smaller and 

 very numerous. A third type is also found, intermediate between the others 

 already referred to, namely a short cylinder, truncated at one end and presenting a 

 knobbed appearance at the other. 



The autozooids are circular in outline, and may be almost completely retracted 

 within their respective cavities, the edges of which are distinctly tumid. The 

 apertures are about 3 '5 mm. across; the diameters of the canals decrease as they 

 pass inwards. 



At the apex there are eight tentacles of the usual type bordering the mouth 

 aperture. The anthocodial part consists of a yellowish tube with the surface 

 much wrinkled. Its outer wall is continuous with the epithelium of the surface 

 of the pileus, and at the level of the pileus forms a semi-transparent flexible 

 membrane closing the entrance. 



The stomodseum is continued about 10 mm. below the surface of the pileus, 

 and is attached to the wall by the mesenteries, which bear gastric filaments, but 

 show no trace of gonads. The stomodseal wall is very substantial, and supported 

 by reddish spicules ; it shows very conspicuous and regular transverse corruga- 

 tions 27 in number ; the siphonoglyph is broad and deep ; the inferior opening 

 of the stomodseum into the crelenteron resembles a flattened papilla. 



The apertures of the siphonozooid cavities are very minute, and are seen on 

 the surface of the pileus as a large number of white spots. Each spot is a delicate 

 membrane roofing the cavity of the polyp, and perforated by an elongated slit, 

 the mouth of the zooid. Tentacles are unrepresented. The mouth leads into a 

 small chamber separated from the wall of the cavity by a narrow space crossed by 

 mesenteries. 



The siphonozooid cavities pass gradually into the autozooid cavities ; a number 

 seem to be continued into the stalk as distinct channels. Others seem to end 

 blindly. Numerous ova occur on the walls of the siphonozooid cavities a very 

 short distance down the tube. 



Locality : Station 204 ; 6* 50' 20" N., 79 36' 20" E. ; 180-217 fathoms. 



