13 



The individual calyces are in the form of truncated cones, often somewhat inclined 

 toward the distal end of the branch, but perhaps quite as frequently directed straight ontward. 

 A typical calyx measures 1.2 mm. in height and 1.7 mm. in diameter at its base. The walls 

 are often transversely corrugated near the base, as if by the strong contraction of the polyps. 

 The margin is divided into eight evident lobes, often giving an appearance characteristic of 

 the genus Yerrucella as originally defined. The tentacles are very thickly encrusted with densely 

 tuberculate spindles forming a mosaic of longitudinally disposed spicules. 



A cross section of a branch shows a fairly thick ccenenchyma, large water-vascular 

 canals immersed in the ccenenchyma ; and an axis cylinder without horny layers, being com- 

 posed entirely of limestone and showing concentric markings. 



Spicules. The most common form by far is the form that I have callecl the girdled 

 spindle, and that other writers often call a doublé spindle. Often the girdle is invaded by 

 the verrucce, and the result is a terete spindle encircled by close set whorls of verrucaï. 

 Doublé heads are formed where the two ends of the spicule are rounded in outline. The form 

 which Kolliker calls the "doublé sphere" ] is a doublé head which approaches the form of 

 the girdled spindle, as that term is used in this work. Ordinary spindles with regular whorls 

 oi verrucae are sometimes seen, and when one end is more turgid than the other, a club 

 is formed. 



Color. The colony is a deep scarlet ; the polyps tinged yellow by the heavy coat of 

 yellow spicules on the tentacles. 



This species superficially resembles Platycati/us on account of the flattening of the 

 branches. It also resembles V. granifcra Köll., except in color and measurements of the 

 calyces, V. grauifera having calyces .8 mm. in height. 



3. Vcrrucclla stellata new species. (Plate II, figs. 1, \a\ Plate X, fig. 3). 



Stat. 310. 8°3o'S., iiq°7'.5E. j^ meters. 



Colony subflabellate in form, branching dichotomously, general habit very slender, loose 

 and straggling, 47 cm. in height. The main stem is 4 mm. in diameter, and forks 10.6 cm. 

 above its base. The main branch on one side has five forkings at distances of 3 cm., 3.8 cm., 

 4.2 cm., 2.7 cm., and 2.8 cm. Or one might regard the main branch as sinuous, bearing five 

 branchlets on its upper surface, all of the branchlets being dichotomously branched from one 

 to four times. The branches are 3 mm. in diameter at their bases, and the ultimate twigs 

 1.5 mm. in diameter and sometimes attaining a length of 17 cm., the whole colony being 

 much more delicate and slender than either of the other species examined. The ccenenchyma is 

 thin. The calyces are very small scarcely evident verrucae disposed on all sides of the branches 

 except on proximal portions, where they are scattered or absent. There are none on the stem. 

 There are four rows of calyces, including all sides of the branch which the rows encircle in 



Icones Histiologicae, II, p. 140, PI. XVIII, fig. 42. 



