148 
in appearance, due to small globular and capstan-like spicules. At the point of origin of the 
branches these forms are mixed with short, thick, warty spindles. The latter increase in number 
and the former diminish so that in the terminal portion of the branches and the processes there 
are only spindles, irregularly arranged. 
The spicules of the sterile stalk consist of (a) small simple capstans which apparently 
give rise to more warty capstans which develop into warty dumb-bells. The constriction in these 
dumb-bells is in some cases so reduced that an almost warty spheroid form results. These 
obviously form a developmental series. The other stalk spicules are ( 3 ) very warty short, thick, 
curved spindles with the warts more developed on the convex side, (c) short, thick, stumpy, 
warty pseudo-clubs, and (d) a few longer, narrower, less warty spindles. 
8. Stereonephthya spicata n. sp. 
Stat. 50. Bay of Badjo, West coast of Flores. Up to 40 M. Mud, sand and shells, according 
to locality. 2 Ex. Another from Stat. 164. 
Stat. 303. Haingsisi, Samau-island. Up to 36 M. Lithothamnion-bottom. 1 Ex. 
Several flabby colonies of a dirty white colour agree in many respects with W hitelegge’s 
Spongodes pallida , and more with it than with Kukenthal’s Stereonephthya whiteleggi which 
he identified with Whitelegge’s species. 
Our chief reason for separating it off from both, if they are distinct, is the strength of 
the supporting bundle which Whitelegge does not mention or figure, which Kukenthal calls 
“slightly developed”. 
On the lower parts of the colony the polyps occur singly, but elsewhere they are for 
the most part in groups of varying numbers. 
The polyp stalk is about 1.5 mm. long, and the polyp is usually bent down sharply on 
the stalk. The supporting bundle is strong and usually one spicule projects distinctly. 
The anthocodial armature is very distinctive and simple, consisting, as it does, of 2 
converging hockey-club-like spindles in each of the eight points, one of the two being much 
the stronger. 
These points are based in a number of sometimes sloping, sometimes horizontal, spindles 
which pass imperceptibly into those of the polyp stalk. All grades can be found between 
polyps showing no transversals and others with 3 or 4 rows; but in all cases our interpretation 
is the same, that the basally disposed spindles are not so much anthocodial as pertaining to 
the polyp stalk. 
What catches the eye at once is the prominence of the tips of the eight anthocodial 
points and the strongly projecting tip of the supporting bundle. The spicules of the sterile 
stalk are straight or curved warty spindles. This new species agrees with Spongodes pallida 
Whitelegge in having a pair of converging spicules in each anthocodial point, one longer than 
the other, and in showing at the base of these a number of transverse rows. Whitelegge, 
however, does not mention or figure a supporting bundle. For this reason it does not seem to 
us possible to merge our specimens into Spongodes pallida. 
Kukenthal not very convincingly maintained that Whitelegge’s Spongodes pallida was 
a Stereonephthya, and identified it with his Stereonephthya whiteleggi. It is impossible to refer 
