Report on the zoological collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean ...

ALCYONARIA. 3333 to 4 millim., those of the type specimen of the species 5 millim,Studer (l. c. p. G36) assigns to this form a species from New Guineawith orano:e-red polype-heads and spicules 2-5 millim. in maximumlength, which appears to be specifically distinct from it. The darkcolour of the stem of the present specimen is perhaps simply a caseof local variation, but may perhaps be the normal condition, lost in theoriginal spirit-specimen. Another point of divergence is the usuallysingle spicule projecting above the polype-cell at one side ; inthe type specimen there are usually two spicules here.Hah. Port Denison, Queensland, 3-4 fms. ; bottom, sand androck.5. Spongodes studeri. (Plate XXXVII. figs. A, A', «-«".)Spongodes spiuosa, Studer, MB. Ak. Berlin, 1878, p. 6o6 ; iiecSpoggodes spinosa, Gra;/.Head relatively large, laterally com])ressed, sharply demarcatedfrom the pedicle. Oroatest diameter of head at least three timesthat of pedicle. Pedicle cylindrical, weak to moderately strong.Common axis of head dividing into from (J to 12 strong lobes, ofvarying distinctness in different specimens ; lobes dividing almostimmediately into a large number of lobules, slightly horizontallyexpanded at their free end. Terminal lobules each presenting amass of from 4 to 9 small round polype-heads, closely aggregated.Each polype usually accompanied by one stout projecting spicule onits external aspect, but the lobule usually has but two or threereally prominent spicules, which form a kind of calyx to the lobule ;the remaining ones, being shorter, are inconspicuous, as a rule.The largest spicules project from 1 to 2 millim. beyond theirpolypes. Colour of stem dirty white, sometimes crimson, thatof surface of axis of the head and its subdivisions white or palepinkish, of polypes (where not removed by the action of the spirit)either claret-colour or deep fiery orange-red (in one case thepolypes are Avhite, but the lobules are tipped with orange-red).Spicules of general axis of head mostly more or less longitudinallyarranged: —(i.) Fusiform, undulating, rather bluntly terminated,beset with monticular tubercles, usually terminally roughened ordivided, about -02 to 'OS-S millim. in height, often arranged in approximatelyannular series round the spicule, about 5 in numberin the semidiameter of the middle of the spicule ; size about 3 by '3millim. Also (ii.), as (i.) but smaller, with tubercles crowded towardsends and usually smaller than in (i.), simple (not rough) or almostso ; size about 1-5 by -15 millim. Spicules of lobules :—(iii.) Large" main " s])icule fusiform, almost straight, fairly sharp at each end,covered with low tubercles (not exceeding -IS millim. in height),about 4 to a semidiameter in the middle of the spicule ; tuberclessimple and monticular towards the middle, sharj) and directed forwardnear the external end, where tliey gradually diminish insize, becoming usually very scanty in numbers, or reduced to mere