1G5 



throughout the cohiny, l)iit it is about 2 mm. in the first and 4 mm. in the second. 

 In the largest colony there is a main stem which extends vertically to an 

 equal height with the branches. Near the base two large branches are given 

 off almost perpendicularly, and from these arise secondary branches which 

 extend sub-})arallel to the main stem. This type of branching is continued 

 indefinitely. The smaller branches, however, arise at varying angles and 

 anastomose with the sub-i)arallel branches forming an open network. 



In the other colony the main stem is only 15 mm. long and immediately 

 divides into two almost horizontal branches. The rest of the branching is 

 in a general way similar to that in the first specimen. 



The camenchyma is thick and densely packed with spicules. It appears as 

 if covered with small warts which are projecting groups of spicules. These are 

 sometimes packed together so closely that they form longitudinal ridges and 

 depressions. 



The axis is brown in colour and varies in diameter in one colony from 5 mm. 

 at the base to 0"02 at the tips of the branches. It is very calcareous and 

 appears almost sclerogorgic, being built up of long strands which have a glisten- 

 ing appearance when viewed with reflected light. 



The polyps are scattered over the whole surface at intervals of less than 

 1 mm. The verrucK are almost inconspicuous being nearly level with the 

 crenenchyma. The anthocodire are completely retractile and when retracted 

 the walls of the verrucce close over them forming an indistinct eight-rayed star. 

 When partially retracted, the tentacles being infolded, they are cylindrical in 

 form and measure 0*5 mm. in height by 05 mm. in diameter. At the base of 

 the tentacles there are eight groups of spicules arranged " en chevron ". Each 

 group consists of four pairs of spicules, enclosing angles which increase from 

 above downwards, gradually merging into a horizontal collaret of three to four 

 rows of bent spindles. 



The spicules of the coenenchynia present the following types with measure- 

 ments in millimetres ; — 



(a) Stellate forms, 0-04 x 0-04. 



(b) Spindles with warts closely packed in whorls, Ol x O'OS ; 0'09 x 0-04 ; 

 0-11 x003. 



(r) Spindles with four whorls of warts, 01 x 0-02 ; 008 x 002. 

 (d) Double clubs, 005 x 0'03 ; constriction 0015. 

 003x0-03; „ 0005. 



0-03 X 0-025 ; „ 0-005. 



{e) A few minute irregular crosses with the x very marked, 0075 x 005 ; 

 0-05 X 0-045. 



The spicules of the collaret and triangular groups of the anthocodite are 

 slightly spiny spindles measuring in millimetres 0-18 x 001 ; 015 x 002. 



