The spines vary in length but they are always unequal on opposite sides of the axis; 
the longest are inserted on the polyp-bearing side. The shortest spines may so very much 
Fig. 188. Stichopathes semiglabra sp. n. 
a Arrangement of the spines on the thickest 
part of the colony; b on the base of the 
colony; c on a higher part; «, b , c 52 X- 
Fig. 189. Stichopathes semiglabra 
sp. n. Spines on the base of a 
colony; 52 X- 
Fig. 190. Stichopathes semiglabra sp. n. 
a Spines on the base of a colony; b on 
a higher part; a, b 52 X- 
diminish in size as to leave one side of the axis entirely smooth, without any trace of spines 
(fig. 189); this character is found with all the specimens on one or more parts of the axis. — 
If there are spines on every side of the axis, there are 4—7 longitudinal rows, usually 5 (fig. 
188 a). The mutual distance of the spines is 330—600 p„, usually 450—480 a; on one and 
the same part of a colony this mutual distance is everywhere the same in all the rows so that 
the quincunxial alternation of the rows is not disturbed. 
The length of the spines varies for the longest ones from 45—190 a, for the shortest 
ones from o—75 a. The spines are usually blunt, conical, slightly distally inclined, but their 
distal side is not yet at right angles with the axis; the surface of the spines is smooth (fig. 
188 r), but in some cases slightly granulated (fig. 190^) or slightly striped (fig. 190 <2) on the 
top of the spines. The spines may be more distally inclined (fig. 191 a, b , r, d ), with which 
Fig. 191. Stichopathes semiglabra sp. n. 
a— d Spines on succeeding parts of a 
colony, beginning at its base ; a — d 52 X* 
Fig. 192. Stichopathes semiglabra sp. n. 
Spines: a on the middle of a colony; 
b on its top; 0, b 52 X- 
Fig. 193 - Stichopathes semiglabra sp. n. 
Polyps; 14 X- 
a granulated top may be observed (</) or the spines are more heavily built as in fig. 192 a 
with a curved proximal side and a straight distal one, while with the last type the distal side 
may also be concave (fig. 192 b). If the length of the spines is locally very much diminished, 
we find a transition-zone with high knobs (fig. 188^). — I he polyps (figs. 
193, 194) are very transparent, like the rest of the coenenchyma, so that 
the axis and the gastral cavity are clearly visible. The polyps are rather 
prominent and conspicuous as small cushions on the axis. I he interpolypar Fig. 194. Stichopathes seini- 
distance is 1.7—1.8 mm. The sagittal tentacles are 0.7 rnm. long, the s /all,a s P- n - foiyp.-,, 14. . 
lateral ones 0.45—0.5 mm.; the sagittal ones are inserted at a lower level than the lateral 
