the Genus Spoiigodes, Less. 71 



off lateral twigs on two sides. The terminal twigs speedily 

 divide into little twigs, which are arranged in a corymbose 

 manner and bear bundles of polyps in which each calyx is 

 surmounted by a spicule of from 2 to 2*5 niillim. in length. 

 The heads are red, the lateral bundles of spicules white. In 

 each bundle of polyps one polyp appears to be more strongly 

 developed than the others and projects above them. 



Locality. Enoshima, Japan. Collected by Dr. Doederlein. 



Spongodes rigida^ n. sp. 



The colony is a loosely ramified, shortly pedunculate, head- 

 like mass of rigid consistence. The colour of the mass is dark 

 purple, of the polyp-heads yellow. Height of the colony 33 

 millim., diameter 35 millim. The short cylindrical stalk 

 divides at a height of 12 millim. into a number of branches 

 coming off on all sides. The branches are directed in part 

 horizontally outwards, in part obliquely upwards, and bear at 

 the end divergent twigs, which divide in a corymbose manner 

 into the polyp-bearing terminal twigs. Each of the latter 

 bears a bundle of from three to five polyps, whose heads are 

 supported by a spicule from 2 to 3 millim. in length. Each 

 head possesses an eight-rayed operculum, composed of yellow 

 spindles 0*25 millim. in length. Numerous spindles occur 

 imbedded throughout the entire mesoderm, which thereby 

 acquires a firm rigid condition. 



Locality. Japan. Collected by Dr. Doederlein. 



Spongodes coccinea, n. sp. 



The colony forms an irregular lobose mass, placed on the 

 end of a short barren stalk, which has a leathery consistence. 

 The head is thickly covered with polyps and is of a dark 

 carmine-red colour. Height of the colony 45 millim., dia- 

 meter 45 millim., length of the stalk 17 millim. 



The ramification takes place in such a fashion that the main 

 stem divides into a few (foui') large flat branches, speedily 

 giving ofi" along their course and from their ends smaller 

 secondary branches, which divide into smaller secondary and 

 terminal twigs. These bear bundles of from four to six polyp- 

 heads. These terminal lobules are united with the others 

 into larger groups, and these again into four lobes which 

 correspond to the four main branches. The polyp-heads are 

 small. The dorsal bundle of spicules is only feebly deve- 

 loped and projects only slightly above the head. Eight 

 groups of spicules form an opercular cover. 



Locality. Enoshima, Japan. Collected by Dr. Doederlein. 



6* 



