72 
Stat. 142. Laiwui. Reef. 2 Ex. 
Stat. 144. North of Damar-island. 45 M. Coral bottom and Lithothamnion. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 213. Zuid-island. Reef. 4 Ex. 
Stat. 213. Saleyer. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 248. Tiur-island. Till 54 M. 3 Ex. 
Stat. 250. Kur-island. 20— 45 M. Coral and Lithothamnion. 2 Ex. 
Stat. 299. io°52'.4S., 123 0 I / - 1 E. 36 M. and 20 fathoms. Mud, coral and Lithothamnion. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 301. io° 38 / S., I23°25'.2E. 18 — 45 fathoms. Mud, coral and Lithothamnion. 3 Ex. 
Stat. 315. Anchorage East of Sailus Besar, Paternoster-islands. Up to 36 M. Coral and Litho¬ 
thamnion. 2 Ex. 
A specimen of a greyish brown colour, consisting of a stiff stem 2.5 cm. in height, and 
three main branches with polyps densely disposed in somewhat conical lobes. A notable feature 
is the thick armature of the incurved 8-lobed polyps, which are covered with foliaceous clubs, 
(a) mostly short, 0.1 X 0.08 mm.; ip) sometimes elongated like axes, 0.15 X 0.06. mm. (c) Others 
remind one forcibly of small axis vertebrae.' {d) Many are ribbed, foliaceous at one end, with 
two or three jagged processes at the other. ( e ) Very characteristic are the 4-rayed stars or 
crosses, mostly stout and heavily warted, which abound in the canal walls. Some also occur in 
the cortex of the base; 0.2 X 0.18 mm. (f) Connected by transitional shapes with ( e ) are large, 
compact, spheroidal forms, covered with a few compound knobs, and often showing hints of 
being quadriradiate. 
Among the small modified capstan-like spicules it is possible to make out a develop¬ 
mental series. The smallest are not far removed from double clubs, with one end bearing two 
knobs with prominences and the other end showing the first hint of foliaceous expansion. Slightly 
larger are forms in which the spinose end is more complex and the smoother end more foliaceous. 
From these by gradual stages there is a progression towards somewhat Bebryce-like types with 
an expanded head to the outside and a slightly divaricate base with pointed prominences. 
A further development is due to one of the original knobs apparently predominating 
over the other and forming a relatively long rough process to one side. 
The four rayed types are not mentioned by Wright and Studer, but Kukenthal notes 
their presence. 
We do not see how it is possible to separate Capnella capitulifera (Wright and Studer) 
from this species, which is the older. 
A much contracted cream-white colony from Station 315 stands 3 cm. high, of which 
about half goes to the common stem. From the top of this there arise five short main branches, 
which, after about 1.2 cm., bear conical lobes about 0.8 cm. in height. These are densely 
covered with the characteristic Capnella polyps, very like those figured by Wright and Studer 
for Paranephthya (— Capnella) capititlifera. Compared with the other specimens above referred 
to, this one shows rather stronger spicules, especially those of the almost spherical type and 
the quadriradiates. It does not on that account seem justifiable to separate the specimen from 
the C. imbricata species. 
The specimen from Station 60 is particularly robust in its growth, with a maximum 
length of 10 cm., and a breadth of 6.2 cm., and rising to a height of 5.2 cm. It is densely covered 
with tapering finger-like lobes, which may attain a length of 2.3 cm. and an average breadth 
of 8 mm., all densely covered with incurved polyps. 
