PROF. THOMSON AND MR. McQUEEN—REPORT ON THE ALCYONARIANS. OL 
(2) in the fact that only one “ Stiitzbiindel ” spicule projects beyond 
the polyp-head; the tip of the “ Stiitzbiindel” spicules is smooth, 
like that of the chief “ Stiitzbiindel” spicules in S. may? ; 
(3) in the disposition of the superficial cortical spicules, which are 
predominantly longitudinal in S. may? ; and 
(4) in the character of the spicules of the cortex, which are curved 
spindles, while in S. mayi there are, in addition to spindles, 
clubs 
s, four-rayed spicules, and irregular bodies. 
III. The specimens differ superficially from S. klunzingeri : 
(1) since that species is for the most part developed in one plane 
with an almost suppressed trunk ; 
(2) in the mode of branching and in the disposition of the polyps 
in crowded bundles of 6-11 in each bundle, whereas in 
S. klunzingert they are only 1-3 in a bundle. 
They ditfer more intimately : 
(1) in the nature and arrangement of the anthocodial spicules, which 
in S. klunzingeri are in rows of 8-10 with the uppermost two 
very much longer ; 
(2) in having an entirely different “ Stiitzbiindel”’? made usually of 
two spicules ; and 
(3) masmuch as the spicules of the canal-walls are broad and flat 
spinose spindles. 
In the specimens the spicules of the canal-walls are varied and may 
be grouped as follows : 
(A) spindles of undulating contour, or halfmoon-shaped, or tending 
to be club-shaped ; 
(B) spindles forked at one end (bicuspids), transitional to tri- 
radiates ; 
(C) triradiate forms ; 
(D) irregular bodies with four arms, probably derived from C. 
All spinose. 
IV. The colonies have a great superficial resemblance to S. ehrenbergi. 
but differ from it in having 6-11 polyps in each bundle, while 
S. ehrenberyi has 5-8. 
They differ more intimately : 
(1) inasmuch as S. ehrenbergi has only 4-5 pairs of spicules in 
each double row, each about 0°3 mm. in length, the uppermost 
0°5 mm. with long oblique spines ; 
(2) in the nature of the projecting spicules of the ‘‘ Stiitzbiindel,”” 
which in S. ehrenbergi has a spinose tip, whereas in these 
specimens the tip is smooth ; 
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