PROF. THOMSON AND MR. McQUEEN—REPORT ON THE ALCYONARIANS. 65 
The colonies show in each case a substantial trunk which at a distance of 
2°5 em. or less from its base is embraced by a collar of foliate lower branches. 
These leaf-like branches bear sessile polyps scattered round their marein, 
while further on the upper surface may be seen twigs, which divide in the 
corymbose fashion characteristic of the whole colony. These twigs also carry 
polyps on their tips. 
From the angle between the rising stem and the collar spring one or two 
branches equal in size to those that are terminal. These branches in their 
turn break up into terminal corymbs. Beyond the collar, the stem after a 
short course divides into two or three main branches, which soon divide up 
Into secondary branches supporting the terminal corymbs. The terminal 
corymbs are all brought more or less to the same level, so that the upper 
surface of the polyparium is somewhat flattened. A polyp-bundle usually 
comprises 3 to 8 individual polyps, but the number is very variable. 
The polyp-head is bent more or less at a right or an acute angle to the 
polyp-stalk. The polyp-head is 0°8 mm. in length and 0°55 mm. in breadth. 
The polyp-stalk is about 1 mm. in length. The anthocodial spicules are in 
rows of 3 to 5 pairs, the uppermost of which do not project beyond the 
anthocodia. 
The angle of each chevron is a very acute one, giving a somewhat longi- 
tudinal direction to the spicules of the anthocodia. 
Some variation in colour is to be noted in the anthocodial spicules. In one 
of the colonies they are colourless, in another red, while transitional pinkish 
spicules are present ina third colony. In the “ Sttitzbiindel ” there may be 
one or two projecting spicules. These spicules show very small serrations 
regularly disposed. Their tip may be quite smooth or with an occasional 
serration. Their colour varies from a light yellow to a reddish yellow. 
The following measurements were taken of these spicules (length and 
breadth in millimetres) :—1°5 x 0:03 ; 1:25x 0-1; 0:80:03; 0°77 x 0:03. 
In some of the colonies the size of the projecting ‘* Stiitzbiindel ” spicules 
approaches nearer to the dimensions of the stout spines which are a feature of 
the terminal corymbs. ‘These strong spine:, which seem to protect and 
support the polyps on a terminal corymb, generally arise independently of an 
individual polyp, but sometimes they simply take the place of the normal 
but smaller “ Stiitzbiindel” spicule. 
Of these stouter spindles the following measurements were taken (length 
and breadth in millimetres) :—4x0°:25; 4x02; 3°5x015; 3°5 x0°125. 
The tentacles are oblong with a few pinnules and without spicules. 
The cortex of the upper branches contains slightly curved spindles with 
very fine and regularly disposed serrations. 
The following measurements of these spindles were taken (length and 
breadth in millimetres) :—4 x02; 3:2xO01; 14x05; 1x003. Their 
colour in one specimen is white with a yellowish tinge, in three specimens 
