81 
in other words it does not bear polyps. The other again bifurcates and each of these gives rise 
to two branches. The two branches from one are barren, while those from the other are polyp- 
bearing. It is difficult to account for these sterile ends. 
In another small specimen, without any basal attachment, there are two barren ends 
one of which may have been attached to a larger colony. Another colony with a sterile stem 
3.5 cm. long is normal and typical. One specimen from Station 282 has no sterile stem, but is 
simply a complete polyparium or part of the polyparium of a larger colony. Another specimen 
from the same station is similar. It is very hard and black in colour, due no doubt to desic¬ 
cation. The white spicules stand out very distinctly and are visible to the naked eye. Another 
colony similar to the last was dredged at Saleyer, 18—45 M. 
From Station 315 comes a remarkable colony. The sterile stalk is 4 cm. long. The mode 
of branching is dichotomous and the polyparium is typical. There is no hint of attachment, but 
from the periphery of the base of the stalk there arise six or more stolons about 5 cm. long. 
Several of these are branched. All have sand and shells adhering to them and the colony was 
evidently anchored by them on a sand and shell bottom. 
Previously recorded from Gulf of Manaar, Ceylon; Zanzibar; S. China Sea; Seychelles, 
34 fathoms and Amirante 33.34 fathoms. 
2. (Jmbellulifera graeffei (Kiikenthal). (Plate IX, Fig. 4). 
Synonyms: Amniothea graeffei Kukenthal. 
Lithophytum graeffei Kukenthal. 
For description see: KUKENTHAL, Versuch einer Revision der Alcyonarien, II, Nephthyiden, 
Zool. Jahrbticher XIX, 1904, p. 113, 2 figs. 
Stat. 294. io° 12 / .2 S., I24°27 / .3E. 73 M. Soft mud with very fine sand. I Ex. 
We also refer to this new genus a large and striking colony from Station 294, which 
agrees entirely with Kukenthal's description of Lithophyhim graeffei. 
In our specimen, which has a rather cauliflower-like appearance, a soft flaccid stem, 
6 cm. X 1.5 cm., after spreading out domewise to a diameter of about 5.5 cm., gives rise to a 
great many short, broad and somewhat flattened stems (about 2 cm. long and 1.7 cm. in maximum 
diameter) which divide and re-divide into a number of branches and twigs. The polyps are borne 
on the small terminal twigs in flat umbels about 4 mm. across; but as a great many terminal 
twigs arise close together, the closely adjacent umbels form larger umbels which again form one 
large umbel or cauliflower-like polyparium, 12 cm. in diameter and 6 cm. in height. 
The polyps are about 2 mm. high and 0.9 mm. broad. The spiculation of the polyp 
stalk varies very markedly in different parts of the colony, and also on adjacent polyps. In 
some there is only a single longitudinal spindle; in others two, three, four or even five are 
clustered together —- a distinct strengthening of the polyp stalk. The anthocodial armature 
consists of, in the majority of cases, 8 en chevron pairs of delicate, straight or slightly bent, 
spindles, covered with small simple warts. 
There are no spicules in the stem or branches, either in the cortex or the canal walls. 
The colour in spirit of the stem and branches is a yellowish cream with creamy white polyps. 
Previously recorded from the Indian Ocean and the China Sea. 
I I 
SIBOGA-EXPEDITIE XIII d. 
