ALCYONARIA FROM SINGAPORE. 515 



The " Sfciitzbiindel," though unrlonbtedly present, is very ill- 

 defined. From four to six spindles can usually be observed 

 along the abaxial surface of each anthocodia, but in no instance 

 do these protrude beyond the polyp-head. It is exceedingly 

 difficult to dissect out a single polyp with its supporting spicules 

 intact; some preparations were obtained, however, after soaking 

 portions of the branches for twelve hours or more in oil of 

 cloves. A more satisfactory method of observing the " Stiitz- 

 blindel" is obtained by placing one of the terminal lobes, 

 previously cleared in oil of cloves, under a low-power binocular 

 microscope. By this means a stereoscopic view of the polyp and 

 its supporting spicules is obtained, such as is represented in 

 fig. 12. The cortex of the capitulum contains numerous hori- 

 zontally disposed spindles, some of which are among the largest 

 spicules found in this species ; they resemble in type those 

 described from the polyps. In the outer wall of the stem are 

 found small spicules with broad rays (fig. 11, a) which are usually 

 numerous, but vary considerably in size and concentration. 

 These forms are covered with warts -015- -036 mm. long, and 

 interlock with one another, thus accounting for the tough 

 consistency of the stem. Among the forms described above 

 there are also in the outer wall of the stem some larger spindles 

 with remarkable spines (fig. 11, h); the latter, which have an 

 average height of -044 mm. and basal breadth of -02 mm., are 

 often larger and sharper on one side of the spindle than on the 

 opposite side, and, since the spines all lie approximately in one 

 plane, give the spicule a comb-like appearance. The spicules of 

 the _ canal-walls (fig. 11, c, d) are not very plentiful, but are 

 distinguished by their stout appearance. They may be described 

 as very thick, longitudinally-striated spindles, somewhat flattened 

 and bearing low rounded warts. Their ends are either rounded 

 or bluntly pointed, the body of the spicule is straight or slightly 

 curved. Among these regular forms there are found a few 

 branched spicules. The latter resemble the regular forms in 

 structure, but are either triradiate or show short irregular 

 processes springing from the central region of a typical spindle. 



The following are characteristic measurements of the spicules, 

 length by breadth, in millimetres : — 



(a) Polyp (outer) -3 X '025 



(b) Polyp (inner) -17 X "02 -112 X -023 



•07 X -02 



(e) "Stutzbuiidel" -75 X -05 "6 X "Oo 



•4 X -06 



(c?) Cortex of capitulum TO X -075 "9 X "08 



(e) Cortex of stem, radiate forms -115 X 'ISl '058 X -054 



Thickness of branches "OS-'Olo 

 Do. spindles (including spines) ... So X '125 '22 X "125 



(/) Canal-walls, spindles Tl X -19, -85, '2, -ex-ll, 



•4 X -08 

 Do. triradiate forms -41 x '4, thickness of ray 'l 



(measured by taking two ter- 

 minal points as a base line and 

 the third point as the extremity). "22 X -18 thicknessof ray -05 



