NEPHTHYA, Audouin aqi. Savigny.
Ainmotliea, Lamarck.
1. Nephthya (Ammothea) jukesi, var.
Leinnalia jukesii, Gray, Ann. 4' Alag. A*. II. (4) ii. p. 442, fig. 1.
The two specimens in this collection differ from the type specimen
of the species in having the spicules about one sixth as large again in
all dimensions, and in the infundibular, aud not merely irregularly
ramose arrangement of tho crown of lobes. I t is apparently not
generically distinct from Ammothea (this generic name is forestalled
by Leach iu I’ycnogouida), but nearly related to A . imbricata (M.-
Edwards and Haime) and A. ramosa (iid.). The sjiicules have never
been figured, and Dr. Gray’s description seems, perhaps unintentionally,
to suggest that none are likely to be found in the superficial
parts of the animal.
Hah. Port Molle, Queensland, between tide-marks.
2. Spongodes ilorida.
Alcyonium floridum, Esper, Eflnnzenthiere, iii. p. 49, pi. xvi.
Spoggodes florida, Gray, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 27, pi. ix. figs. 1-4.
Two young specimens. Shark Bay, S.AV. Australia, is apparently
the ouly other Australian locality recorded. I t also extends
to the Philippine Islands {Gray).
Hah. Port Jackson, 0-5 fms.
3. Spongodes hemprichi.
? Klunzinger, Kor. roth. Aleer. p. 36, pi. iii. fig. 1
A young dry specimen, which does not show its characters with
sufficient distinctness to justify a positive decision as to its identity.
I t has, however, the general external aspect of the above species ;
the stem and main axis are white, the zooids clustered on the
surface-lobules crimson ; the spicules are fusiform, and thickly
covered with coarse, prominent tubercles.
Hab. Thursday Island, Torres Straits, 4 -5 fms.
4. Spongodes spinosa, var.
Spoggodes spinosa, Gray, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 27, pi. iv. figs. o-7.
A small portion of a colony, in spirit, possibly specifically distinct
from Gray’s species. The stem and branches have a dull
purple-grey colour, which belongs almost solely to the soft parts,
affecting the spicules but slightly. The spicules reach a length of
3 to 4 millim., those of the type specimen of the species 5 millim.
Studer {I. e. p. 636) assigns to this form a species from New Guinea
with orange-red polype-heads and spicules 2-5 millim. in maximum
length, which appears to ho specifically distinct from it. The dark
colour of the stem of the present specimen is perhaps simply a case
of local variation, hut may perhaps he the normal condition, lost in the
original spirit-specimen. Another point of divergence is the usually
single spicule projecting above the polype-cell at one s id e ; in
the type specimen there are usually two spicules here.
Hah. Port Denison, Queensland, 3 -4 fms. ; bottom, sand and
rock.
5. Spongodes studeri. ( P l a t e XXXVII. figs. A, A', a-a".)
Spongodes spinosa, Studer, AIB. Ak. Berlin, 1878, p. 636.; nec
Spoggodes spinosa, Gray.
Head relatively large, lateraUy compressed, sharply demarcated
from the pedicle. Greatest diameter of head at least three times
th at of pedicle. Pedicle cylindrical, weak to moderately strong.
Common axis of head dividing into from 6 to 12 strong lobes, of
varying distinctness in different specimens; lobes dividing almost
immediately into a large number of lobules, slightly horizontally
expanded at their free end. Terminal lobules each presenting a
mass of from 4 to 9 small round polype-heads, closely aggregated.
Each polype usually accompanied by one stout projecting spicule on
its external aspect, but the lobule usually has but two or three
really 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 I to 2 millim. beyond their
polypes. Colour of stem dirty white, sometimes crim.son, th at
of surface of axis of the head and its subdivisions white or pale
pinkish, of polypes (where not removed by the action of the spirit)
either claret-colour or deep fiery orange-red (in one case the
polypes are white, but the lobules are tipped with orange-red).
Spicules of general axis of head mostly more or less longitudinally
arranged:—(i.) Eusiform, undulating, rather bluntly terminated,
beset with monticular tubercles, usually terminally roughened or
divided, about -02 to '035 millim. in height, often arranged in approximately
annular series round the spicule, about 5 in number
in the semidiameter of the middle of the spicule ; size about 3 by '3
millim. Also (ii.), as (i.) but smaller, with tubercles crowded towards
ends and usually suialler than in (i.), simple (not rough) or almost
so ; size about 1-5 by -15 millim. Spicules of lobules :—(iii.) Large
“ m ain ” spicule fusiform, almost straight, fairly sharp at each end,
covered with low tubercles (not exceeding -18 millim. in height),
about 4 to a semidiameter in the middle of the spicule; tubercles
simple and monticular towards the middle, sharp and directed forward
near the external end, where they gradually diminish in
size, becoming usually very scanty in numbers, or reduced to mere
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