148 



The spicules are predominantly spindles. 



The following are some of the measurements of their length and breadth in 

 millimetres : — 



(A) Stalk — opaque, yellowish, multi-tuberculated spindles, straight and 

 curved, 1-5 x 0-3 ; 1-4 x 0-25 ; 11 x 02 (fig. 9a). 



(B) x\nthocodife — 



(a) " Crown and points " — slightly opaque or translucent tuberculated 

 spindles and clubs, 0-8 x Ol ; 0-75 x 0-08 ; 07 x 0-075 (fig. 9b). 



(/>) Tentacles — pale yellow, transparent scales, 0-08 x 0-02 ; 0-06 x 0-02 ; 

 0-04 X 0015 (fig. 9c). 



Locality : Ott' Cape Comorin, 38 fathoms. 



Cactogorgia alciformis, Simpson. Plate VII., figs. 4-6. 



This species is represented by a very rigid colony of an orange-brown 

 colour, 45 mm. in height, 40 mm. in breadth and about 10 mm. in thickness 

 (fig. 4). It has a short basal trunk from which three large lobes arise approxi- 

 mately in one plane. These lobes have the characteristic appearance of the 

 previous two species ; they are markedly flattened and bear the polyps mainly 

 on the margin, but by a torsion in the plane of flattening the latter appear as if 

 clustered terminally. In addition to the three large lobes there are also three 

 smaller groups of polyps. 



The whole colony is very stiff and rigid, and the central canal .system is 

 almost obscured by the densely packed spinose spindles. The surface, when 

 viewed with a lens, is bright and glistening, and shows innumerable short, thick 

 warty spindles interlocking in all directions. 



The polyps occur chiefly on the margin ; they are supported by truncated 

 conical verrucse about 2*5 mm. in height and 2 mm. in diameter at the top. 

 The verrucae are directed towards the upper portion of the colony, and are 

 longer on the outer margin ; they are built up mainly of longitudinally arranged 

 spicules. 



The anthocodiie (fig. 5) are completely retractile ; when fully expanded they 

 are 45 mm. in length and 2 mm. in diameter. The "crown and points" 

 arrangement of the spicules is not so definite as in the other species. On the 

 stomodoeal region the spicules are disposed circumferentially in ten to fourteen 

 interlocking rows. In the upper portion, however, they gradually pass into an 

 " en chevron " arrangement, so that eventually they form eight triangular groups, 

 each consisting of ten to fifteen spindles with no very regular disposition. The 

 diameter of the upper portion is slightly greater than that of the lower. 



The tentacles, which are infolded over the oral opening, are 2 mm. in 

 length and 075 mm. in breadth. On the aboral surface there is a distinct 



