ORDER V. STELECHOTOKEA, Bourne. 



SECTION ASIPHONACEA. 



Family TELESTWJ;. 



Telesto arthuri, Hickson and Ililes. 

 ,, nibra, Hickson. 



Telesto arthuri, Hickson and Hiles. 



This species is represented by two fragments, one of which is attached by a 

 broad basal membrane to a broken piece of coral. Both pieces are simple, un- 

 branched, with numerous polyps. Their heights are 43 and 39 mm. They 

 present a rough appearance owing to the projection of many of the spicules, 

 especially at the oral surfaces of the polyps. The colour is white. The polyps are 

 arranged in a very irregular manner, either in short spirals of 2-4, or in whorls. 

 Between the spirals or whorls single polyps occur. A portion boiled with caustic 

 potash disintegrates and leaves no axial skeleton. The following measurements 

 were taken of the length and breadth of the spicules in millimetres : 



1. Those with rough warts, 



a. Spindles straight or curved, O'SxO'l; 0'6x0'15; 0'5x0'08; 



0-3x0-05. 



b. Tri- and quadri-radiate forms, '6x0 '3 5 ; "3x0 '15. 



2. Those with sharp spine-like projections, 



a. Spindles straight or curved, 0'8x0'07; 0'6x0'07; 0'5x0'04; 



0-4x0-05. 



b. Quadriradiate forms, 0-2x0-18 ; 0'3x0'15; 0'4xO-16. 



Many of the spicules seem to be a combination of 1 a and 2 a. They are 

 bent at an angle, and have one of the ends covered with rough warts and the other 

 covered with sharp spines. 



The specimens agree with T. arthuri (1) in having no grooving, (2) in there 

 being no axis, (3) in the arrangement of the polyps, and (4) in the shape of many 

 of the spicules. They differ in not having the secondary polyps so crowded ; but 

 thin probably means that the specimens are young forms, as is also indicated by 

 the ready disintegration of the skeleton when boiled with caustic potash. 



Locality : Station 232 ; 7 17' 30" N., 70 54' 30" E. ; 430 fathoms. 



Previously recorded from Blanche Bay, New Britain. 



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