498 THE STOLONIFERA AND ALCYONACEA 



authors still separate the species without supporting bundles of spicules in the calices 

 from those with such bundles, into a separate genus called Ammothea. 



This is one of several instances in the Alcyonaria of genera based solely on the 

 character of spicules, and considering the well-known range of variation in both the 

 number and shape of spicules in individual species of Alcyonarians, it is most desirable 

 that such generic names should be discountenanced. 



But the name Ammothea ought to disappear altogether from the Class, on the 

 gi-ound that it was introduced by Leach in 1814 for a Pycnogonid (and is still used 

 in that sense) before it was used for an Alcyonarian. It is really remarkable that 

 the authors of the Challenger volume on Alcyonaria, knowing this fact, should still 

 retain the term Ammothea for an Alcyonid. It is difficult to see how such a course 

 can be defended. 



Sub-family I. Spongodinae. 



5. Spongodes cervicornis, Wright and Studer. 



This specimen agi-ees in general form and method of branching with the type 

 specimen (28). The aiTangement and size of the spicules is also the same. They 

 are 4"3 x '18 mm., .5 5 x SI mm. — '73 x 03 mm., 1 x '018 mm. 



The polyp heads are '8 mm. long. The colour of the main stem, branches and 

 polyp heads is whitish, the twigs are purple. 



Habitat. Sandal Bay, Lifu. 



Previously recorded from Tahiti. 



6. Spongodes hemprichi, Klunzinger. 



There are two specimens of this form, the larger of which is 72 mm. in height ; 

 the stalk is 3-5 mm. high and 20 mm. wide. The spicules on the branches are large, 

 opaque, white spindles covered with compound-tuberculate warts. These spindles are 

 transversely placed and are 48 mm. by •.5-5 mm. in diameter. 



The polyp heads are in clusters; each has a spicule projecting above the head. 

 These spicules resemble those of the branches. Some of the spicules of the stalk 

 show a tendency to branching. They are 1'9 mm. long x '33 mm. — 'SS x "07 mm. 



The colony is brownish-drab in colour ; the polj^D heads are brown. Some of the 

 spicules of the heads show a tendency to brown coloration, but the majority are white. 



Habitat. Sandal Bay, Lifu. 



Previously recorded fi-om the Red Sea (11). 



7. Spongodes rhodosticta, Wright and Studer. 



There is one specimen of this species. 



The total height of the colony is 90 mm. The length of the stalk is 25 mm. 

 and its width is 3 mm. 



The branches are on an average 10 mm. long. The poh^s are 2 — 8 mm. in 

 length, and the heads 1 mm. in diameter. 



Habitat. Talili Bay, New Britain. 



Previously recorded from the Arafura Sea (28). 



