129 



The "points" of the anthocoduu are very well defined, being Ixiilt up of 

 four large spicules arranged " en chevron ". Between each pair of points there 

 occur several smaller spicailes. On the tentacles the spicules are arranged in 

 V-like pairs, the apices directed towards the proximal end, l)ut in some cases 

 this arrangement is more irregular or more nearly parallel. The spicules of 

 the tentacles, excei)t for- a small part at the proximal and distal ends, are red 

 in colour. 



In the coenenchyma the spicules are warty or spiny, straight, curved or 

 S shaped. Most of them, and especially the larger ones, are transparent, but 

 some are reddish. The following are some of the measurements in milli- 

 metres : — 



(a) Transparent, 8-2 x 0-85 ; 6-3 x 0-8 ; 1-5 x 0-25. 



(h) Tinted, 0-3 x 0-04 ; 02 x 0-025 ; 01 x 002. 



The spicules of the anthocoditc are spiny spindles, straight, curved or club- 

 shaped, and are transparent except those on the middle of the tentacles. The 

 measurements in millimetres are as follows : — 



Crown and points, 0'8 x 09 ; 0o5 x O'l. 



Red spindles from the tentacles, 0-25 x 0-03 ; 0-15 x 0-02. 



Locality : Malabar C'oast, 30 fathoms. 



Siphonogorgfia mirabilis, Klunzinger ( = S. pustulosa, Studer). 



This species is represented by a much broken creamy-white colony, which 

 could not have been less than 13 cm. x 10 cm. 



It is branched in one plane, the branches arising at various angles, some 

 perpendicularly, afterwards taking an upward course, so that the general impres- 

 sion is of a rigid flabellate colony with sinuous branches. The main branches 

 are cylindrical, but the smaller twigs are not so regular in outline and are 

 somewhat flexible. 



The spicules on the main stem and branches are arranged transversely, but 

 on the finer twigs they are longer and disposed longitudinally. 



The canal system is very clearly seen in the larger branches where there is 

 one large central canal surrounded by three smaller ones, while between these 

 and the circumference there are several still smaller almost inconspicuous 

 canals. The spicules around the central canals have a decided red tinge. 



The polyps are disposed over the whole colony, in a slightly spiral manner, 

 at intervals of about 1 to 3 mm. on the main stem, and further apart on the 

 branches except at the tips of the twigs where they occur in clusters. 



The calyces are about 15 mm. long and 1 mm. in diameter and are built up 



of spicules so placed that the points are directed inwards and form a protection 



for the retracted polyp. 

 17 



