the polyp-covered tips of finger-like branches densely spiculose. The outside of the involucre is 
thickly covered with the large spicules characteristic of Studeriotes, all longitudinally disposed. 
The branches of the polyparium are thickly covered with polyps, about 0.8 mm. in length and 
0.6 mm. in breadth, which have a strong supporting-bundle, projecting about 0.7 of a milli¬ 
metre, usually consisting of a couple of spindles, or of one flanked by two. The polyp is bent 
downwards on its stalk at more than a right angle, and has a strong armature of spindles 
arranged in sloping pairs in longitudinal rows. There may be 3 — 6 pairs in a row. At the 
base of the rows there are a few irregularly disposed spindles. 
The smaller specimen from Station 133 has an involucre standing 1.7 cm. in height, 
with a maximum diameter of 6 mm. The whole polyparium is retracted. The base of the 
involucre is surrounded by numerous large Foraminifera. 
A very young specimen from Banda (9 — 36 M.), with a diameter of 8 mm. and a height 
of 4 mm., shows the branches completely retracted within the involucre, which is almost completely 
closed at the apex. The spicules agree with those of A. spinosa , but in such a young contracted 
colony of Studeriotes it is impossible to be quite certain as to the species. 
This species is separated from the others by the fact that the strongly developed supporting 
bundle projects very markedly and cannot be said to be of the short ensheathing type. It differs 
from A. longiramosa in its greater hardness and in its more compact branches densely covered 
with polyps. Also distinctive is the depressed inbent appearance of the polyp-heads. 
Order GORGONACEA. 
Sub-Order SCLERAXONIA. 
Family Briareidae. 
Genus Iciligorgia. 
We were fortunately 7 able to examine a very fine “Challenger” specimen of Iciligorgia 
orientalis Ridley, in which we found no medullary canals even in a stem with diameters of 
1.2 cm. by 8 mm. Whatever be true of other specimens there is no doubt that the Challenger 
forms from the Torres Straits cannot be referred to Kukenthal’s Machaerigorgia which is 
marked by the presence of nutrient canals. It may be also noted that this Challenger form has 
no projecting verrucae. The centre of the stem, both at the base and towards the tips, shows 
a differentiation which looks as if it were due to a relative preponderance of organic matter. 
It seems to us doubtful whether ‘Kukenthal’s Machaerigorgia, erected for Ridley’s Iciligorgia 
orientalis (with an imperforate axis and no external verrucae), has any justification whatsoever. 
1. Iciligorgia orientalis Ridley. 
For description see: RlDLEY, Zoological Collections of the ‘Alert’, 1884, p. 351, 3 figs. 
Nutting, Siboga Expeditie. XIII b, 1911, p. 18, 2 figs. 
Stat. 213. Saleyer. Up to 36 M. Coral, mud with sand. 1 Ex. 
Stat. 299. io°52 / .4S., I23°i / .i E. 36 M. Mud, coral and Lithothamnion. 1 Ex. 
