87 
rather smooth. Besides the very numerous thorny spindles of the stem there are irregular forms 
towards the base. This places the specimen in the vicinity of N. grisea , to which we think it 
should be referred. 
The following characteristic features may be noted: (i) the outer surface of the polyps 
shows chevron rows with 6—8 pairs of sloping spindles; (2) the supporting bundle is strong 
but rarely projects; (3) the lower stem includes numerous large irregular spicules, mostly derivable 
from the spindle type, e. g. broad jagged plates, approximate triradiates and quadriradiates, 
divaricate discs with prominent processes; (4) the spindles of the upper stem are strongly 
thorny. Besides these there are smaller irregular sclerites not derivable from spindles. A small 
fragment from the tip of a branch 8 mm. long, from Kur, shows the same general features of 
polyp armature. 
Previously recorded from Ternate and Tonga. 
8. Nephthya inermis (Holm). 
For description see: HOLM, (Spongodes inermis), Zool. Jahrb. VIII, 1895, p. 26, 3 figs. 
Stat. 37. Sailus Ketjil, Paternoster-islands. 27 M. and less. Coral-bottom. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 142. Laiwui, Obi Major. Reef. 1 Ex. 
A limp colony of a creamy white colour is very difficult to place, but comes nearest 
N. inermis to which we refer it. The colony consists of three main branches rising from a short 
common stem. It rises to a height of 6 cm., and shows a spread of about 7 cm. The branches 
are densely covered with secondary branches bearing closely packed rounded lappets. 
We refer the specimen to N. inermis for the following reasons: 
(1) the lappets are rounded; 
(2) the polyp-spicules are approximately equal; 
(3) the supporting bundle does not project (at most very slightly in Holm’s description); 
(4) the double rows of spindles on the polyps have 3 — 4 in a row (2 — 3 in Holm’s description); 
(5) there is an indication of a basal transverse row, which seems to us to spread out laterally 
from the sides of the supporting bundle; 
(6) there are numerous irregular double-stars and jagged capstans, besides straight and curved 
spindles, some with only a few spines, others richly beset; 
(7) the lower canal walls may show massive 3-rayed and 4-rayed forms as well as the ordinary 
spindles. 
A young cream-coloured colony from Station 142, with a total height of 2.2 cm. of 
which 1.5 cm. is stalk, shows characters nearly approaching those of the preceding specimen. 
All the polyps show the tentacles half expanded. 
Previously recorded, if our identification is correct, from Hirudo Strait near Japan, 
Pacific Ocean. 
9. Nephthya pacijica Kiikenthal. 
For description see: KuKENTHAL, Versuch einer Revision der Alcyonarien, II, Nephthyiden, 
Teil I, Zool. Jahrb. 1904, XIX, p. 158, 4 figs. 
