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2. Xenia florida (Lesson). 
For description see: KUKENTHAL, Versuch einer Revision der Alcyonarien, 1902, 1 , Xeniiden, p. 648. 
Stat. 40. Kawassang, Paternoster Islands. 12 M. Coral reef. 2 Ex. 
Stat. 303. Haingsisi. Up to 36 M. Lithothamnion. 3 Ex. 
With some hesitation we refer to this rather incompletely described species, specimens 
from Stations 40 and 303. The obvious points of agreement are (1) the arrangement of the 
pinnules in two rows on each side of the micl-line of the tentacle, as is found in few species 
of Xenia. There are 10—12 in each row in our specimen, but no number is given in the 
diagnosis of the species. (2). All the pinnules are very small and low. (3). The polyps are 
closely crowded together on the not very sharply defined summits of the branches. (4). The 
dimensions of polyps and tentacles are in good agreement, the polyps up to 7 mm. in length 
(breadth up to 2 mm.), and the tentacles up to 3.5 mm. in length. 
The colour of the specimens from Station 303 is a rather opaque whitish colour; that 
of those from Station 40 is a more transparent light brown, while the texture of those from 
Station 303 is tougher, and less flaccid. In none are spicules present. No record of spicules is 
given in the diagnosis. 
All the specimens except one show a stem giving rise to 3 or more branches. A curious 
unbranched very elongated specimen from Station 40 shows a flaccid stem 3.6 X 0.6 cm. which 
bears the crowded polyps at the summit. Several young buds are also present with very short 
tentacles. The other specimen from Station 40 shows a stem 1.7 X 0.5 cm., giving rise to two 
branches the longer of which, 2.4 cm. long, gives off a small branch 1 cm. long with two 
small terminal twigs. 
A very similar type of branching is seen in the specimens from Station 303. In the 
largest specimen the trunk, 1.5 X 0.9 cm., divides into two main branches one of which gives 
rise to 3 twigs, at various levels; in the other longer branch one main twig is given off and 
3 or 4 small clumps of polyps arise from the branch about half way up its length, so that a 
somewhat Cespitularia-like appearance results. The polyps are closely crowded together on the 
summits of the branches and twigs, which are conical with a not clearly defined edge to the 
polyp-bearing area. 
Previously recorded from Pacific Ocean (New-Ireland, Port Denison). 
3. Xenia ternatana Schenk. 
For description see: A. SCHENK, Clavulariiden, Xeniiden und Alcyoniiden von Ternate. Abh. 
Senckenberg. Ges. XXIII, 1896, p.64, 1 fig. 
Stat. 50. Labuan Badjo, Flores. Up to 40 M. Mud, sand and shells according to locality. 2 Ex. 
Stat. 258. Tual, Kei Islands. 22 M. Lithothamnion, sand and coral. 7 Ex. 
The characters used in distinguishing certain different species of Xenia are somewhat 
unsatisfactory, but the specimens here referred to agree with X. ternatana Schenk in the following 
respects: — (1) the long limp pinnules (0.5 mm.) are arranged in two regular rows on each 
side of the tentacles (6 mm. long); (2) there are about a score in each row including the basal 
warts; (3) the calcareous bodies are very numerous, very minute, close-packed, circular discs, 
like red blood corpuscles. 
SIBOGA-EXPEDITIE XIII d. 
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