130 



Four to six rows of spicules form the "crown" of the anthocodite. The 

 arrangement of the spicules on the " points " is not constant. The following 

 " arrangements" were observed : — 



(a) Two large spicules with one between them — three or four occurring 

 between the several " points ". 



(b) Five large spicules, two on one side and three on the other, directed 

 inwards. 



(r) No definite arrangement. 



The spicules of the main stem and branches are mostly spindles pointed or 

 with rounded ends. These are covered with warts, some of which are rounded 

 and smooth, while many are spiny and appear as knobs with a constricted neck. 

 The spindles measure in millimetres 12 x 0"3 ; 1'4 x 04. 



Those of the smaller twigs are of the same type but larger — 2 x 0-3 mm. 



On the anthocodife they are spiny irregular spindles. The following are 

 some of the measurements in millimetres : — 



(a) " Crown and points," 4 x 02 ; 4 x 025. 



(b) Tentacles, 015 x 001. 

 Locality : Persian Gulf, 48-49 fathoms. 



Another slightly damaged specimen 15 cm. long and 4 cm. broad may be 

 referred to this species. A somewhat spirally twisted or sinuous stem arises 

 from a thickened base. Branches come off" mostly from two sides and diverge 

 at various angles. They have no definite arrangement and the distance between 

 them is by no means constant. 



Polyps occur scattered over the whole colony separated by intervals of 3 to 7 

 mm. on the main stem. The colour of the general coenenchyma is red while 

 that of the polyps is yellow. The calyces could in no way be termed prominent 

 but appear as slight warts on the crenenchyma. None appear on the main 

 stem below the origin of the first branch, but on the smaller branches they are 

 fairly close together. 



The crowns of the anthocodife are composed of four to five rows of curved 

 spindles and points. On the tentacles the spicules are arranged in pairs pointing 

 towards the distal end. 



The spicules of the coenenchyma are large red warty and spiny spindles and 

 have the following measurements in millimetres : — 



{(i) Warty, I'S x 0-3 ; 1-6 x 03. 

 (b) Spiny, 0-8 x 0-05 ; 0-85 x 0-05. 



On the anthocodiee the spicules are of the same shape, but club-shaped forms 

 also occur. They are of a very pale yellow colour and measure as follows : — 

 (a) Crown and points, 0-4 x 004 ; 0-3 x 0-045. 

 {h) Tentacles, 012 x 0-02. 



We have no hesitation in referring these specimens to the above species. 



