24 
In other words, there is just the beginning- of small stems which rise from a basal membrane. 
But the coenenchyma of these short stems or stalks is only incipient, since they consist of little 
more than the combined proximal portions of the cavities of the polyps, pointing indeed to 
what is characteristic of Lemnalia. From this genus our type may be separated off by the long 
heavily armoured polyps, by the presence of a basal membrane and the absence of a definite 
common trunk from which arise all the branches and all the polyps of the colony. Moreover 
the spiculation is quite different. 
From Xeniidae the type may be distinguished by the absence of a common stout stem, 
by the origin of the polyps at irregular levels on the short stalks, and very distinctively by the 
spiculation. Yet it must be noted that some Xenias have a basal membrane connecting various 
fleshy stalks. 
Conclusion: We regard the type Protodendron as annectent between Stolonifera and 
Alcyonacea, but occupying a primitive position among the latter, being in fact like Xenias in 
the making. 
Previously recorded from Wasin (Zanzibar). 
Family Xeniidae. 
Genus Xenia. 
i. Xenia capensis (Hickson). 
For description see: HlCKSON, Alcyonaria and Hydrocorallinae of the Cape of Good Hope, 
p. 70, 1 fig. 
Stat. 282. 8°25 / .2S., !27 °i 8 / .4E. 27—54 M. Sand, coral and Lithothamnion. 1 Ex. 
To this dimorphic species we refer a small specimen from Station 282. It agrees well 
with Hickson's description, save for having more numerous spicules and fewer siphonozooids. 
The total height of the colony is 1.7 cm.; it consists of a turgid firm stem 4.5 mm. in diameter 
with a slightly expanded basal attaching disc. At the rather swollen summit of the stem are 
found the not very numerous autozooids, with a few smaller siphonozooids at their base. The 
autozooids are short and proportionately broad, up to 4 mm. long and 1.8 mm. in flattened 
breadth ; the tentacles bear short wart-like pinnules arranged in two rows on each side, about 
9— 10 in each row. As Hickson noted, these tend to become arranged in one row in the more 
fully expanded tentacles, but in our specimen the majority of tentacles are rather contracted, with 
the pinnules in two rows. The siphonozooids are not numerous as in Hickson's specimen. The 
maximum length is 2 mm. They show a simple tube with a very small mouth opening sur¬ 
rounded by 8 small lobe-like tentacles, or simply 8 faint indentations. In addition to the small 
siphonozooids are found young autozooid buds which from an early stage have much longer 
tentacles, showing even in small ones an indication of pinnules. This specimen disagrees with 
Hickson's in that there are small disc-like spicules to be found scattered powder-like over the 
autozooids and siphonozooids. The colour is whitish in spirit. 
Previously recorded from Cape of Good Hope. 
