COLLECTED BY DR WILLEY IN NEW BRITAIN, ETC. 499 



8. Spongodes semperi, Studer (PI. L. Figs. 5, 6, 7). 



There are several fragments and one small colony of this species. 



The stalk is thick and cylindrical, widening out a little at the top. 



Fi-om the upper end it gives off a ring of sis conical branches, two of which each 

 bear a small branch. The branches stand out almost horizontally, so that they form 

 a shallow cup at the top of the stalk. 



Each is covered with closely set, .spirally arranged, fairly large polyp heads which 

 are surmounted by one or two long spicules. The branches ac(iuire the form of spikes. 



The trunk is 11mm. high and 11 mm. wide. The diameter of the crown of 

 branches is 26 mm. The branches are 10-14 mm. long, by 3"5 — 4 mm. broad. 



The whole colony is rigid ; the walls of the trunk are filled with long, thin, 

 slightly curved spindles closely covered with small warts and variously placed. The 

 same spicules are found in the branches and polyps, mingled in the latter with smaller 

 ones of the same type. 



In some cases one, and in others two, of the long spicules extend throughout 

 the length of the pol\-p and project about 1 mm. beyond the head. The spicules are 

 from 4 mm. long by 02 mm. broad, to '06 mm. long by '00.5 mm. broad. 



The colour in spirit is white. 



This form agrees fairly closely with Studer's (25) description of Spongodes semperi. 

 The points of difference are the absence of the polyp-covered circular fold described 

 by Studer and of branches in the middle of the head. 



Habitat. Sandal Bay, Lifu. Depth 30 fathoms. 



Previously recorded from the Pliilippine Islands (2.5). 



9. Spongodes rakaiyae, n. sp. (PI. LI. Fig. 11). 



According to Kiikenthal's classification (17) of the genus Spongodes this belongs 

 to the third group Divarkutae, sub-group Cijlindratae, in which sub-group he includes 

 seven species. Of the seven species the form to which this specimen seems most 

 closely related is Spongodes klunzingeri Studer {Sp. ramulosa Klz.). 



The colony is 200mm. high, and 130mm. wide; the main stem is 23mm. thick; 

 the primary branches are from 30 — 95 mm. long; the twigs are 12-20 mm. long. 



The stem is free from branches for 35 mm. above the base, at which point it 

 bears a thick branch 70mm. long; 20mm. above this branch arise two large branches, 

 one on each side, one 70 mm. long, the other 95 mm. long. From that point the 

 stem bears several smaller branches from 30— 70 mm. long. For 75 mm. from the tip 

 the stem bears twigs covered with polyps. Below that point the stem is quite free 

 from polyps, which are borne on twigs springing from the branches only. 



Each twig bears from 15 to 30 polyps. The twigs arise close together on all 

 sides of the branches and gradually get smaller towards the tips of the branches, so 

 that the latter have a conical shape. The jKilyp heads are not closely pressed against 

 the twigs but each has a short peduncle, and as each polyp stands out stiffly owing 

 to the bundle of long spicules supporting it, one of which projects for a short 

 distance ("5 mm.) beyond the polyp head, the twigs have very much the appearance of 

 small thorny branches. 



