IOO 
(2) The anthocodial armature. This is composed of eight points, each consisting of a number 
of spicules arranged more or less en chevron. When the anthocodiae are fully or partially 
expanded, this arrangement is very marked, but when the anthocodiae are retracted, one 
or more of the basal pairs may assume a more or less horizontal position, giving the 
appearance of a pseudo-crown. This “crown” must not, however, be looked upon as comparable 
to the crown in e. g. Cactogorgia, Siphonogorgia, or the Axifera. 
Between each pair of points, tiny spicules are frequently found. These may be 
termed intermediates, and it should be noted that they are very variable, and therefore of 
no more than subordinate diagnostic importance. 
(3) Tentacles. On the aboral surface of the tentacles there may be a more or less dense armature 
of small spicules. When the tentacles are expanded these often show an en chevron 
arrangement, but when retracted they may assume a more horizontal position. 
If the Glomerates, Divaricates, and Umbellates be held to represent three distinct stocks 
or lines of evolution, the particular problem is to discover whether similar morphological 
radiations can be discerned in each of these main divisions. A prior question is : What characters 
can be regarded as having real morphological importance? 
Negatively, it is quite plain that little emphasis can be laid on the size of the colony, 
looseness or density of branching, amount of sterile stalk or colour. 
Positively, the features which seem most indicative of relationship are, in order of importance: 
(1) The architecture of the anthocodial armature — e. g., the number of spicules in 
each point, and their differentiation within the point, this being of much more importance than 
the degree of projection, which depends so much on the state of contraction or expansion • 
(2) the differentiation of the supporting bundle ; 
(3) characteristic features in the spiculation, such as the occurrence of particular forms 
in special regions of the colony — e. g. the sterile stalk, canal-walls. 
