8 9 
developed; they perforate the coenenchyma and the polyps very far (fig. 75). The entire colony 
is covered with polyps (figs. 75, 76), which are brownish (the effect of the many perforating 
spines!), just like the coenenchyma. do the naked eye the polyps are to be discerned as some¬ 
what thicker points on the axis, alternating with slight constrictions. They are placed in a single 
series, always on the same side of the colony. The oral cone and the tentacles can only be 
discerned as low, knobby swellings of the coenenchyma, between the spines. The oral cone 
is round and dome-shaped, with a small round mouth, which is very rarely visible. The inter- 
polypar distance is 1.1 mm., which value is variable. The diameter of the oral cone is 0.3 mm. 
The tentacles are at an equal or subequal distance from the oral cone. When the spines per¬ 
forate the centra of oral cone or tentacles, only their apex is visible ; between these parts they 
are for a greater part visible ; from this it is evident that the polyps are rather large cushions 
on the axis, ihe coenenchyma shows lighter, more opaque spots. Seen from the back of the 
colony the swellings of the polyps are conspicuous, as is visible in fig. 76, where the limits of 
the polyps are given in clotted lines. 
In many points this species has the character of Brook's Aphanipathes , but the mouth 
is not sagittally elongated and the oval shape of the polyps is not very apparent. — As to 
the mode of branching this species appertains to Brook's “Section II”, but the lack of fusions 
makes it appertain to his “Section I”. Probably Aphanipathes ? humilis (Pourt.) is nearly 
related to this species, but the mode of branching of Aphanipathes ztncmlata is so typical 
that it would certainly have been noted by Pourtales in his descriptions. 
Diagnosis: 
o 
Colony : Fanshaped; branched from the base; principal branches or 
stems sinuous, dichasial. Angle of 45 0 between the branches, increasing to 
90° at the ultimate branches, which are a few mm. to 0.5 cm. long. Branches 
curved towards the top of the colony, in their basal part; constricted at 
their base. No fusions. 
Spines: En si form, distally inclined, nearly smooth, 375—450 p.; irregularly 
distributed at a mutual distance of 15o— 225 p.. Longer and more heavily 
built in the polypar areas. 
Polyps: Domeshaped, low oral cone with round small mouth. Ten¬ 
tacles radiate, knobshaped. Inter polypar distance t.i mm. Placed on one 
side of the colony. 
3. Aphanipat/ies indistinda sp. n. 
Stat. 144. Anchorage North of Salomakiee-(Damar-)island. 45 M. Coral and Lithothamnion. 
1 spec. 
This specimen is a fragment of a colony, which was branched to a high degree in every 
direction. The almost straight stem is 3 cm. long; the branches are placed on all sides on 
varying distances of a few mm. to over 0.5 cm. They leave the stem at an angle of 6o° to 
nearly 90°; on their further course they are slightly bent upwards. Secondary and tertiary 
branches occur also, with the same characteristics. Sometimes, but far from frequently, fusions 
SIBOGA-EXPEDITIE XVII. 
12 
