Spicules: The spicules of the cortex and canal-walls consist of (i) warty spindles; (2) 
bifurcated forms arising from these; (3) long triradiates in which the three divisions are of 
about the same length; and (4) quadriradiates in which both ends of the spindle bifurcate. 
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify the occurence of stellate spicules in the 
cortex and canal-walls, but with so many points of agreement we do not feel justified in esta¬ 
blishing a new species. 
Previously recorded from the Bay of Bengal. 
27. Deiidronephthyci disciformis Kiik. (Plate XX, fig. 8; Plate XXVI, figs. 1 and 1 a). 
For description see: KUKENTHAL, Versuch einer Revision der Alcyonarien, 1905, II, pp.636 — 638. 
Stat. 99. 6°7 / .sN., 120 0 26'E. 16—23 M. Lithothamnion-bottom. 4 Ex. 
Stat. 164. i°42'.5 S., i30°47 / .5 E. 32 M. Sand, small stones and shells. 2 Ex. 
Stat. 258. Tual, Kei-islands. 22 M. Lithothamnion; sand and coral. 5 Ex. 
Stat. 279. Ruma-Kuda-bay, Roma-island. 36 M. Mud and sand. 3 Ex. 
Diagnosis: Umbellate; compact; disc-like; outline uniform; polyps in bundles of 6—10 ; 
polyp stalks medium; supporting bundle very strong; point spicules about five pairs, with the 
uppermost larger spicule predominating and projecting ; grade IV ; spicules : in the upper cortex 
long, curved spindles (2 mm.); in the lower cortex stout spindles, irregular stellate bodies for 
interlocking, and large triradiates and quadriradiates. 
Anthocodial Grade and Formula: 
IV = 1 -j- 4 P o Cr -j- very strong S. B. 
Descriptive Notes: 
Colony as a whole. Compact, with its umbels arranged in larger hemispherical masses 
which are superficially in contact, forming in most cases a uniform outline. 
Branching. From the uniform outline and the arrangement of the umbels in large hemis- 
pherical masses, it should evidently be-referred to Kukenthal’s section Umbellatae, first division, 
disciform zk-gro u p. 
Polyp stalks not over 1 mm. long. Polyps in small bundles of 6 — 10. In the anthoco¬ 
dial armature there are 4—5 pairs of converging spindles en chevron in each of the eight 
points and above these a much larger converging spindle rising almost 0.5 mm. beyond the 
polyp. In rare cases two spindles share in the projection, which is very characteristic. Below 
the points there is a vague “crown”, and there are 2 — 4 small intermediates between the 
points. All these spicules are whitish. 
In the supporting bundle about three very strong densely spinose curved spindles pro¬ 
ject beyond the anthocodise, one being stronger than the others, and these are based in smaller 
but still strong spindles. The largest spindle has a length of 4 mm. and shows a distinctly 
smooth tip (cf. D. gigantea). 
Other spicules. The upper cortex is densely covered with long curved spindles, mostly 
in longitudinal arrangement, many of them 2 mm. in length. Only some of them show the 
distant fine spines that Kukenthal describes; most are covered somewhat densely. 
The lower cortex shows (a) stout spindles with long conical tubercles; (b) very numerous 
small irregular stars with longish prongs, which may again be divided and are suited for inter- 
