130 
Spicules: One of the outstanding characteristics of the spicules is the tendency to 
foliaceous development — a feature which is emphasised by Wright and Studer in the des¬ 
cription of D. corymbosa (united by Kukenthal with D. florida). They speak of forms which 
correspond to the spiny folia of a foliaceous club, whose peduncle is almost entirely reduced. 
The spicules may be divided into four main groups. 
(1) (a) Smooth or slightly spiny spindles; 
(b) long spindles with compound spines much more strongly developed on one side; 
(c) spindles in which these compound spines become more and more foliaceous; 
(d) kneed spindles with the foliaceous expansion confined to the middle portion, resulting in 
(e) forms in which the ends of the spindle disappear and only the median foliaceous part remains. 
(2) Some spindles bifurcate and this results in triradiates ; in some both ends bifurcate and 
quadriradiates arise. From this type by further branching, multiradiates are derived. Many 
of these multiradiates are branched practically in one plane, but from the centre of others 
there stands out a central boss or compound knob, which in some forms tends to be foliaceous. 
(3) Starting from minute, almost smooth, four-cornered capstans, there develop small flat stars 
much less densely spinose, some remaining flat, others becoming, through allround develop¬ 
ment of spines, almost discoidal. 
(4) Another quite distinct type is represented by spindle-shaped and bracket-shaped, flat, almost 
smooth irregular forms. 
Previously recorded from the Philippines, Hong Kong and the Arafura Sea. 
20. Dendronephthya stolonifera (May). (Plate XVIII, Figs. 1 — 5). 
For description see : KUKENTHAL, Versuch einer Revision der Alcyonarien, II, 1905, pp. 635 — 636. 
Stat. 49. 8°20 / .5S., ii 9°4 / .5E. 360 M. Coral and shells. 5 Ex. 
Stat. 260. 5°36'.5S., I32 0 55'.2E. 90 M. Sand, coral and shells. 3 Ex. 
Anthocodial Grade and Formula: 
III = 5 — 6 p -p o Cr -f- weak S. B. 
In the collection there are three specimens from Station 260 and five from Station 49, 
which we would refer to this species. The three specimens from Station 260 were at first 
puzzling, since they are distinctly divaricate in the general branching (See Plate XVIII, figs. 1 — 3). 
This is most marked in the youngest colony (Plate XVIII, fig. 1), but in the older colonies the 
definite umbellate character begins,to appear. The five colonies from Station 49 are distinctly 
umbellate and flattened. Two of these are figured (Plate XVIII, fig. 4 and 5). It should be 
noted, however, that in even the smallest colony, the polyps are grouped in umbels on the 
twigs and these again combine into larger umbels. For this reason they must be placed within 
the group Umbellatse, as defined by Kukenthal. The different proportions of stalk to polyparium 
in the three small colonies are noteworthy. The lengths of the stalks are 1.5 cm., 2 cm. and 
6 cm., respectively, while the heights of the polyparium are 4 cm., 4 cm., and 5 cm. 
Very characteristic of all the colonies is the foliaceous collar at the base of the polyparium. 
This completely encircles the stem. The colour of all the specimens is identical. The stalk, the 
foliaceous collar, and the lower part of the polyparium are yellowish white, but this gradually 
