± 30 [j. long. — The mutual distance between the spines is 560 p., but may diminish to 420 p. 
Stat. 117. i°o'.5 S., I22°56'E. Entrance of Kwandang-bay, Celebes. 80 M. Sand and coral. 50spec. 
These colonies, partly fragments only, have the same type of colony as the specimens 
from the Bay of Djampeah, and also the same dimensions of the stem. The shape of the spines 
as well as their habitus are also very like those of the former group; the surface of the spines 
is practically smooth. There are 5—6 longitudinal rows of spines; the longest ones are 98 p, 
the shortest on the opposite side of the axis 28 p; their mutual distance is sligthly less than 
in the other group, viz. (420—)48o p. The very rare- polyps have an interpolypar distance of 
1.5 mm.; the type of the polyps is the same as in fig. 130, but with a better defined mouth. 
The colonies of both these stations I did not join with var. aspenspina since the smooth 
surface of their spines is not a sporadically found character but widely distributed in the entire 
groups, and especially since both groups show an uniformity in the shape of the spines, which 
forms a conspicuous contrast with the very great variability of var. aspenspina. The shape of 
the spines neither permits to combine these groups with var. lissispina. 
Without any doubt this Stichopathes variabilis has points in common with formerly 
described species, however without making it desirable to unite them completely. Stichopathes 
desbonni D. & M. also grows in groups, while the length is =t 7 dm.; but the polyps are 
entirely unknown and the spines are arranged in verticils, while the mutual distance of the 
spines is ±330 p. and the number of longitudinal rows is 10. The spines are short and blunt. 
The characteristic verticillate arrangement of the spines, although found on very rare occasions 
also in Stich. variabilis , is in Stich. desbonni D. & M. probably a character of general validity. 
Stichopathes ceylonensis T. & S. also appears to me as a nearly related species, differing 
from Stich. variabilis in the shape of the spines and the number of longitudinal rows, while 
the further description is too vague to give a reliable base on which a union of both species 
could be founded, although the characters, as far as they are described, lie within the range of 
the variability of Stichopathes variabilis. 
Roule’s Stichopathes Richardi , dissimilis and especially abyssicola may surely be compared 
with Stich. variabilis. Neither of them has the typical shape of the colony of Stich. variabilis , 
with an increasing diameter in the basal part. The great likeness to Stich. abyssicola is lessened 
by the bathymetrical difference; Stich. abyssicola is found on depths of 1674 and 2165 M, 
while all the specimens (with only one single exception: 1 spec, from station 173) of Stich. 
variabilis are found on depths of some ten meters or less. 
Silberfeld’s specimens of Stichopathes filiformis , separated by me from this species and 
called Stich. variabilis are very like the Siboga-specimens. The characteristic shape of the stem 
(i. a. the changing diameter, etc.) makes one immediately think of these specimens, while 
Silberfeld’s data about the shape, the dimensions and the distribution of the spines are not 
in disaccord with the Siboga-material. The polyps also have many points in common, even 
the thin mesogloea, which Silberfeld makes mention of for his specimens and which is described 
by me in the anatomical part. 
