231 



evenly distributed on all sides of the branches. The coenenchym 

 IS very thin on the thicker branches, but relatively thick on the 

 smaller ones. The surface is finely granular. 



The spicules are ver}' numerous, and consist of spindles with 

 prominent tubercles of various sizes up to .12 mm. in length, 

 double wheels up to "05 mm. in length, Maltese crosses, fig. 19 c, 

 rough stars or warted spheres .03 mm. in diameter. In the 

 calices there are finely pomted spindles with relativel)' few 

 tubercles and some which are distinctly flattened, fig. iqc, as 

 in V'erruceila granifera. 



The specimen is almost white. 



Family Gorgonellidae. 



Juncella spiralis, n. sp. 

 Plate VIII., figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9. 



Locality : Off Cape xMorgan, 32° 45' 45'' 8., 28" 26' 15" E. 36 

 fathoms. Stones, 29 specimens. January 12, 

 1900. 



Twenty fine specimens of this remarkable, new, spirallv twisted 

 juncella were sent to me, with the remark, " There were no 

 e:pecimens showing the tendril-like stock twisting round an\- 

 support." 



The longest specimen was 220 mm. in lengtli when slightly 

 stretciied, but this was imperfect, the base having broken off. 

 The longest perfect specimen was 150 mm. Two small perfect 

 specimens which are not spirally twisted, are 50 and 55 mm. in 

 lengtli. The greatest breadth is 4-5 mm. in some large frag- 

 ments. The smaller specimens are only 2-3 mm. in breadth. 

 The stock is unbranched in all the specimens. The axis is pale 

 brown in colour, and has rings of lime imbedded in the horny 

 matrix. The verruca; are all prominent, and arranged irregularly 

 on t\\ o-thirds of the circumference of the stock, leaving a bare 

 track on one side free from verrucae for the whole length of the 

 stock. In a large specimen the bare track is r75 mm. wide, and 

 the verruc;e project about 1-5 mm. The tentacles are in all cases 

 retracted. 1 n colour, the bare track is orange red, and the verruca- 

 are a pale yellow. A specimen that I dried became \-ellow all 

 over, and I have noticed that the spirit in which the specimens 

 are preserved has a j^ink colour. The red colour may therefore 

 fade away in the course of time. The bare track and verrucae are 

 covered with a dense armature of spicules, and it is difficult to 

 believe that the verrucae can be ever retracted. The spicules 

 covering the surface'of the verrucae are irregularlv tuberculated 

 plates about "i mm, in length and rather less in breadth, but 



