132 
colony may be slightly granulated, especially on the proximal side (fig. 164 c), while on one 
colony the type of fig. 166 is found, which spines are entirely rough or at the utmost have 
Fig. 165. Stichopathes variabilis n. n. 
Spines ; a, b 52 X- 
Fig. 166. Stichopathes variabilis n.'n. Spines : 
a on the base of a colony; b on the middle- 
part; c abnormal spine; 0, l\ c 52 X- 
Fig. 167. Stichopathes variabilis n. n. 
Spines on the base of a colony; 
52 X- 
a smooth base; this type is entirely like the type of spines of var. aspenspina or one of its 
numerous variants. — In these group also many smaller deviations are observed; the spines 
may be often doubled to various degrees. Every transition may be found from a complete 
doubling- in the same row behind each other or next to each other to a doubling, as is 
figured in fig. 167 and to a doubling as in fig. 168, where it is rather more like an exceedingly 
rough top. In the latter case the type of spines is sometimes very much like the branched 
spines of var. longispina. Sometimes the top of the spines is 
very rough, which may be considered as a beginning of a 
doubling of the apex (fig. 169 a). On one of the colonies the 
A 
/V 
Fig. 168. Stichopathes variabilis n. n. 
Forked and branched spines on the 
base of a colony; 52 X* 
Fig. 169. Stichopathes variabilis n. n. 
Spines; a knobby spines on the base, 
of a colony; b forked spine on a higher 
part; 0, b 52 X- 
ce ^ 
Fig. 170. Stichopathes variabilis n. n. Spines: 
a horny mass on the base of a colony ; b profile 
of irregular spines on the base; r, d normal 
spines; a, b , c, d 52 X- 
normal spines are on some parts substituted by very reduced spines, consisting of a knobby 
low mass (fig. 170a) while the rest of the axis is covered with scattered granulations; they 
may also be somewhat higher but with a very irregular profile (fig. 170^). 
The type of polyp is figured in fig. 17 1 i the polyps are brown. Usually the tentacles 
are lying in a group against each other around the oral cone, which is covered by them; the 
- 
Fig. 171. Stichopathes variabilis n. n. Polyps; 14 X- Fig. 1 7 2 - Stichopathes variabilis n. n. Iolyps; 14 X- 
mouth is round. The profile of the polyps is sometimes very much like fig. 131^ from the great 
Salever-group. Sometimes the tentacles are longer and joined in a distally directed group (fig. 1 7 -)* 
