143 
may be said at once that it is almost precisely that of D. piitteri (Divaricatae) and not far 
from D. lutea (Umbellate, but with interrupted contour). The length of the point spicules is 
about 0.75 mm., but one is often slightly smaller than the other. Between the points there lies 
a pair of much smaller intermediates. At the base of the points there is a pseudo-crown of 
about three rows of curved spindles. 
There is a strongly developed supporting bundle, the largest spicule of which, about 
2 mm. in length, projects beyond the polyp for about 0.75 mm. It is abutted by two strong 
spindles on each side and by a number of smaller ones transitional to the polyp. The supporting- 
bundle spicules are slightly curved spindles, densely covered with relatively minute blunt and 
narrow cones. The spindles of the eight points are similar, but show the characteristic hockey- 
club-like bend at the base. 
Other spicules. All over the cortex there is a felting of more irregular and stouter 
spindles, often “f” shaped, with larger and often compound blunt tubercles. No stellate forms 
occur, but there are very numerous, quite irregular types which might be derived from spindles 
with club-like ends or from boomerangs. Their compound warts are often very strong and may 
be predominantly strong on one side. 
Genus Stereonephthya. 
1. Stereonephthya bellissima n. sp. (Plate VII, Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5). 
Stat. Not recorded. 2 Ex. 
We refer to this new very distinctive species two remarkably beautiful colonies with 
more branching than is usual in Stereonephthya. The polyp armature is pinkish red and stands 
out against a background of opal-white spicules. The colony is flaccid, the branches are elongated 
and digitiform, and the lower ones are peculiarly weak at the base, tending to be quite flat 
when collapsed. Associated with this may be noted the particularly delicate character of the 
canal walls, which do not contain spicules. The armature of the cortex is stronger in the upper 
branches of the polyparium, and this results in considerably greater rigidity. The branches come 
off quite irregularly, and the polyps may arise singly or in small groups which could not be 
described as bundles. 
The whole of the stalk of the polyp is backed by the supporting bundle which arises 
from the branch at an angle of from 35 0 to 40°. The polyp stalk may attain a length of 2 mm. 
The supporting bundle is of the ensheathing type, with a strong projecting point consisting of 
one to three spindles. 
The polyps are turned inwards and bent downwards at an acute angle often approaching 30°. 
The anthocodial armature in the median dorsal en chevron row is well developed and 
consists of about six to eight pairs of very regularly arranged curved blunt reddish spindles. 
In the two lateral rows on each side the number of spicules diminishes and the average number 
is 3 — 4 pairs. The spicules in the three rows on the ventral surface are often almost quite 
suppressed. The tentacles are densely covered with small white spicules which in the contracted 
tentacles lie transversely. 
This species shows some resemblance to N. tilex (Holm.) in ( a ) the mode of branching, 
