I 82 
agreeing entirely with the previous descriptions. One of the complete specimens shows a basal 
disc from which arise two main polyparia. The larger of these, i cm. in height and with a 
maximum breadth of 9 mm. shows a very short stem, about 2 mm. in length, which then gives 
rise to short polyp-bearing lobes. A few polyps are found also on the stem itself. Both stem 
and branches are firm and have a rather rigid appearance, due mainly to the presence of large 
colourless spindles. These also densely fill the canal walls. 
The polyp, which is generally slightly incurved, is supported by sloping spindles which 
tend to become more horizontal towards the base of the tentacles. In some of the polyps a 
few transversals give the hint of a collaret, but this is not present in many. In shrunken and 
more contracted specimens all the spicules of the polyp stalk may become more horizontal. 
There is definitely no supporting bundle, though some of the dorsal spicules may be a trifle 
stronger than the rest. At the bases of the tentacles are eight points, with projecting tips. 
Each point shows 2—4 spindles in chevron. Double rows of very small spicules are also found 
on the tentacles. The maximum size of a polyp is 2 mm. in length and 1 mm. in breadth. 
The spicules are all spindles, straight or slightly curved or twisted. The spicules of the 
points are small bow-shaped forms, 0.3 — 0.5 mm. across. They are less densely warted than 
those of the stem and branches. 
Measurements taken of the spicules of the stem and branches were 1.8 X 0.18 mm.; 
0.9 X 0.08 mm. The colour is a pale cream brown, with the colourless spicules of the cortex 
showing white. <• 
Also two fragments from Station 164 and a small withered colony from Station 117. 
Previously recorded from the Andamans, Salomons, Providence, Amirante (Seychelles). 
2. Stereacanthia spictilosa (Kukenthal). 
For description see: KUKENTHAL : Japanische Alcyonaceen, 1906, p. 67, 3 figs. 
Stat. 260. 5°36 / .5S., I32°55 / .2E. 90 M. Sand, coral and shells. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 289. g°o'. 2 > S., 126° 24'. 5 E. 112 M. Mud, sand and shells. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 301. io°38 / S., 123 0 25^.2 E. 22 M. Mud, coral and Lithothamnion. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 303. Haingsisi, Samau-island. 27— 45 M. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 310. 8° 30'S., ii9°7 / .5 E. 73 M. Sand with few pieces of dead coral. 1 Ex. 
A small brown colony from Station 289 is in general agreement with Kukenthal’s 
Eunephthya spiculosa. Kukenthal noted, however, that the systematic position of this admit¬ 
tedly aberrant species was doubtful; and though we have not seen his specimen, we refer it 
along with our own specimens, to the genus Stereacanthia. The specimens show the typical 
Stereacanthian features -—- (a) a 'sterile stalk with the cortex and the canal walls filled with 
straight or curved spindles densely covered with warts, and ( 6 ) thickly armoured polyps which 
do not show a true supporting bundle. The spicules in the canal walls separate it from the 
genus Eunephthya, whose diagnosis includes the character “canal walls not thickly filled with 
spicules". The closely grouped polyps (non-retractile except as regards their infolded tentacles) 
show an armature of 2 to 3 pairs of rough chevroned spindles on each point and three or 
four rows of transverse spindles at their base. Below these are more irregularly arranged 
spicules, sloping or tending to a vertical arrangement. The sloping spindles of the eight points 
