THE ALCYONAEIA OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE AND NATAL. 



567 



very large number of .spicules, the central part also a considerable number, but not so 

 many. The more internal canals are slightly larger than those of the exterior. 



The spicules on the crown at the bases of the tentacles are mainly spindles with 

 short spinous processes. In the stomodseal part of the polyp there are spheres, double 

 spheres, and clubs. The last are the most numerous and prominent. All these spicules 

 are provided with thick, blunt processes (protuberant tubercles). Spicules are absent 

 in the wall of the stomodseal tube. The spicules of the external coenenchyma are 

 spheres, double spheres, spindles, and clubs. These are, as a rule, provided with 

 protuberant tubercles. The spicules of the internal coenenchyma are spheres, double 

 spheres and double clubs, all with protuberant tubercles. The spicules of the basal 

 connecting part, namely, that part connecting different polyp lobes together, are double 

 clubs. It may be noted that spindles are characteristically present in the polyps and in 



FIG. 1. 



the external coenenchyma, but are not found in the internal coenenchyma and basal 

 connecting part. 



The adjoining figure shows the spicules of Alcyonium purpureum : (a) spicules 

 of the polyp ; (b) spicules of the external coenenchyma ; (c) spicules of the internal 

 coenenchyma ; and (d) spicules of the basal connecting part of the colony. x 150. 



The following measurements of the spicules may be noted : 



a. From the polyps : (a) Spindles, from 01054 by 0'0340 to 0'246 by 0'0340 mm. ; 

 (b) clubs, from 0136 by 0102 to 0'2754 by 0102 mm., and from 0153 by 0'0595 to 

 0-2754 by 0102 mm. ; (c) spheres and double spheres, from 0136 by 0119 to 0170 

 by 0119 mm., and from 0136 by 0119 to 01615 by 01275 mm. 



b. From external coenenchyma : (a) Spindles, from 0'085 by 0'0425 to 0'2635 

 by 0-085 mm. ; (b) spheres, from 0119 by 0'0935 to 0153 by 0136 mm. ; (c) double 

 spheres, on an average, 0170 by 0102 mm. ; (d} clubs, on an average, 01445 by 0'068 

 mm. ; (e) double clubs, from 0'085 by 0'068 to 0136 by 0'085 mm. 



c. From internal coenenchyma: (a) Spheres and double spheres, from 01275 by 



