88 
Stat. 89. Kaniungan Ketjil. Reef. I Ex. 
Stat. 215. Kabia-island. 701 M. Stone. 2 Ex. 
Two rigid tree-like colonies from Station 215 seem to ns to approach most nearly to the 
characteristics of JV. pacifica. The lappets are conical but rounded at the summits; the polyps 
are thickly arranged on these and lie at a right angle or slightly obtuse angle to the polyp stalk. 
The supporting bundle is strongly developed, consisting of about 8 to 10 strongly thorned 
spindles, but does not project (Kukenthal’s diagnosis states one or two spicules projecting). It 
spreads round the side of the polyp so that a transversal arrangement is seen at the base. Above 
this lie indistinct chevron rows of spicules, thorny at the back and sides of the polyp, smaller 
and smoother on the inner side. The spicules of the rind include long slightly bent spindles 
with short compound warts; shorter spindles very thickly covered with long jagged thorns which 
are often more strongly developed to one side; jagged clubs derivable from these forms; and small 
irregular branched bodies. The canal-walls include massive pointed spindles, up to about 1 mm. 
in length, with strong compound warts, and smaller spindles with fewer simple prominences. 
The larger colony has a total height of 3.7 cm. of which 1.8 cm. is the sterile trunk. 
This has a maximum diameter of 9 mm. and shows marked longitudinal foldings obviously due 
to drying. The lappets are up to 8 mm. long and 6 mm. broad. 
A small and withered brownish fragment from Kaniungan Ketjil shows similar characteristics. 
Previously recorded, if our identification is correct, from the Pacific Ocean. 
10. Nephthya sphaerophora Kiikenthal. 
For description see: KuKENTHAL, Versuch einer Revision der Alcyonarien. II. Nephthyiden. 
Zool. Jahrb. XIX, 1904, p. 164, 2 figs. 
Stat. 81. Sebangkatan. Reef. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 174. Waruh-Bay. Ceram. Reef. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 248. Tiur. Till 54 M. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 250. Kur-island. Reef. 1 Ex. 
A cream-white colony, 5 cm. in height by 6 cm. in breadth, from Station 250, seems to 
us nearest N. sphaerophora , for the following reasons : [a] the lappets are roundish; ( b ) the 
internal polyp spicules are small smooth rods; (r) the abaxial and lateral armature consists of 
indistinct double rows, with at least five pairs in a row; ( d ) a spicule of the supporting bundle 
may be seen projecting in some polyps; ( e ) there are numerous very jagged spindles in the 
upper cortex, with transitions to very irregular forms, and (f) numerous spindles in the lower 
cortex with a large array of branched thorns. 
A young cream-grey colony from Station 248 has a height of 2.7 cm. Of this 1.7 cm. 
consists of the basal stalk, which has a diameter of 5 mm. The polyps in this specimen are 
rather less crowded on the somewhat more conical lappets, but the general spiculation comes 
closest to N. sphaerophora , as does also the armature of the polyp, with the internal spicules 
small smooth rods. 
Also a small colony and fragments from Station 81 and a fragment from Station 174 
agree closely with the other specimens. 
Previously recorded from Pacific Ocean (Viti). 
