422 PROP. J. A. THOMSON AND MR. W. D. HENDERSON ON [Apr. 10, 



The main stem gives off elongated conical branches, and these 

 bear, especially on their lateral siu'faces, numerous finger-shaped 

 lappets coveied with polyps. 



The Stiitzbiindel consists of 5, 6, or 7 straight warty spindles ; 

 the polyp-stalk is covered by regulaily arranged closely-fitting 

 small spindles; the anthocodia? ai'e at right angles to the Stiitz- 

 biindel and are directed inwards towards the geneial sui-face of 

 the colony. On the aiithocodia there are eight double rows of 

 ten to twelve spindles in each row ; the opposite spindles in the 

 double row converge and the whole double row tends to stand out 

 like a ridge on the surface. Thei'e is no sign of spicules on the 

 tentacles. 



This species I'esembles iV. cupressiformis Kiikenthal in general 

 appearance, but the polyp-bearing lobes aie more finger-like, and 

 both the general spiculation and the architectui-e of the antho- 

 codiae are quite different. 



Locality. Wasin Channel, 10 f;ithoms. 



Nephthya zanztbarensis, var. MOLLIS, uov. (Plate XXVII. 

 fig. 5.) 



A somewhat flattened whitish-grey colony, 7 centims. in height 

 by 3*5 centims. in maximum breadth and about 1 centim. in 

 thickness. At a shoi't distance from the base it gives ofl" a sti-ong 

 side bi-anch, and both it and the main stem beai' numerous elon- 

 gated finger-like lobes or secondaiy branches bearing these. 

 Almost all the bi'anches and lobes are de^•eloped to the sides. 

 The colony is soft and flaccid, but the general ctenenchyma is 

 covered with a feltwork of transversely-disposed colourless spiny 

 spindles (0"2 to 0*9 mm. in length) whicli give it an almost 

 striated appearance. No other type of spicule was to be found in 

 the colony. 



The polyps stand almost at light angles to their short stalks ; 

 the Stiitzbiindel is composed of about four to six straight spindles 

 (0*75 and 1*25 mm. in length), one of which projects for about 

 0'25 mm. The anthocodia is supported by eight double rows of 

 about ten spicules in each row. 



This form is characterised by the absence of the irregular 

 superficial layer of spicides and by its darker colour, so that we 

 feel justified in making it a new variety. 



Locality. Wasin Channel, 10 fathoms. 



Nephthya armata, sp. n. (Plate XXVII. fig. 4.) 

 A stiff" colony of a drab-grey colour, 3"5 centims. in height, 

 3'5 centims. in maximum breadth, and 2 centims. in thickness. 

 A short ti'unk bears five main bi-anches, from which aiise numerous 

 blunt and short finger-like lobes. 



The polyps are not densely crowded, but form an irregular spiral 

 on the lobes. In evei-}' case the moutli is turned inwards. There 

 is a well-developed Stiitzbiindel, often Avith four strong spindles and 

 sometimes projecting for about 0*5 nun. The Stiitzbiindel spicules 



