Specimens from several stations are referable to this species. They agree with Wright 
and Studer’s description save that the grouping of the polyps is rather more compact, due 
mainly to the strongly contracted state of the specimens. They stand in close-set dense groups 
on the twigs and surface of the branches and stem, where they may also occur singly. The 
greater part of the stem, however, appears quite naked. Most of the specimens are contracted 
so that the stems are wrinkled transversely, and most of the polyps have a shorter, more flattened 
appearance than in the few better preserved colonies. The anthocodial armature consists of 8 
points, each with 2—3 pairs of large bow spindles in chevron. The body of the polyp is covered 
with sloping spindles which become horizontal beneath the points so that a kind of collaret is 
formed. We have seen none, however, with a collaret quite so decidedly marked off from the 
other polyp-body spicules as is shown in Wright and Studer’s figure. Small spicules are 
found in the tentacles, and the whole surface of polyps, stem and branches is covered with 
numerous small spicules, 0.08 mm.—o.i mm. in length, which help to give the surface of the 
stem its granular character. Larger warty spindles, straight and curved, are found in the cortex 
and in the canal walls where an irregular axis is formed of compacted spicules. 
Among the spicules the following types may be distinguished : 
(a) massive broad spindles, straight or curved, densely covered with compound warts sometimes 
with a suggestion of zoning; 1.2 mm. X 0.2 mm.; 
( b ) slender spindles straight or curved, with fewer warts; 0.7 mm. in length by 0.06 mm. in breadth; 
( c ) very small and slender spindles, 0.2 X 0.02 mm.; 
( d ) short rodlets, sometimes bent, with the warts very prominent for the total size; 0.22 X 0.05 mm.; 
0.8 X 0.03 mm. 
Of several colonies from Station 47, the finest has a height of 3.8 cm. and a maximum 
breadth of 3.2 cm. It is flattened in one plane. 
A fine specimen from Station 310 stands 5 cm. in height, of which 2.5 is occupied by 
the sterile stalk. A characteristic feature is the shortness of the branches and the close-set crowd 
of polyps. What catches the eye at once is the distinctness of the chevron triangles on the 
tentacles and the rows of transverse spicules on the polyp body. 
Various young colonies, some rather weathered and contracted, from Stations 50, 144, 
164, 257, 277, 310 and 315, seem also referable to this species. 
Previously recorded from Japan and Philippines. 
■ Genus Stereacanthia. 
1. Stereacanthia indica Thomson and Henderson. 
For descriptions see: 
THOMSON and Henderson, Alcyonarians of Indian Ocean, Part I, 1906, p. 13, 2 figs. 
THOMSON and Simpson, Alcyonarians of Indian Ocean, Part II, 1909, p. 140. 
Stat. 117. i°o'.5 N., 122 0 56'E. 80 M. Sand and coral. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 164. i°42'.5 S., i30°47 / -5 E. 32 M. Sand, small stones and shells. 2 Ex. 
Stat. 257. Duroa-strait, Kei-islands. Up to 52 M. Coral. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 258. Tual, Kei-islands. 22 M. Lithothamnion, sand and coral. 1 Ex. 
Several small specimens, some fragmentary, from Station 258, are referable to this species, 
