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ing constituent spicules. The whole axis is penetrated by numerous solenia 

 which appear distinctly as small white tubes especially in the nodal regions. 

 The colour of the axis is a bright coral-red. The internodes are tiattened in 

 a plane perpendicular to the plane of branching and vary in length from 12 mm. 

 to 1'8 mm., measuring in breadth and thickness 0'5 mm. x 01 mm. and 0'2 mm. 

 X 0"05 mm. respectively. They are markedly concave at each end, thus form- 

 ing almost hemispherical cups for the nodes. The nodal regions are somewhat 

 globular, measuring 8 mm. in diameter and 5 mm. in length, the brown horny 

 node itself occurring as a thin plate at the greatest diameter. In the younger 

 branches the nodes are not so prominent but are still distinctly spherical. 



The C(jenenchyma is thin and densely packed with spicules. To the naked 

 eye it appears smooth, but with a low-power microscope it presents a glistening 

 arenaceous surface. The colour of the general coenenchyma is a bright coral- 

 red, but the monotony is relieved by an exquisite setting of golden-yellow rings 

 enclosing a colourless peai'1-like centre. The whole is composed of the project- 

 ing ends of club-like spicules which by reflected light produce a diamond-like 

 brilliance. 



The polyps are scattered over about five-sixths of the stem leaving a bare 

 space on the dorsal surface. They measure about 0"5 mm. to 07 mm. in diameter 

 and are separated by similar intervals. They are retractile within slightly 

 projecting verructe which would be inconspicuous but for their bright golden- 

 yellow colour. The tentacles are infolded and are covered on their aboral 

 surface with transparent colourless spicules which show up in marked contrast 

 to the gorgeous colouring of the coenenchyma and verrucfe. 



The anthocodice present an arrangement almost approaching to what might 

 be termed " crown and points ". 



The spicules of the general ccenenchyma are red in colour consisting of 

 several types with the following measurements in millimeti'es : — 



(a) Warty curved and straight spindles, 0"175 x 003 ; 0*15 x 0'025. 



{/>) " Stachelkeulen " or " Blattkeulen," Q-l x 0-075 ; 0-075 x 0-075. 



(<■•) Double wheels, 0-075 x 0-075. 



Those of the verrucse are yellow but many have a red tip embedded in the 

 coenenchyma. They have the following measurements in millimetres : — 



(a) "Stachelkeulen " or " Blattkeulen," 0-175 x 0-1 ; 0-1 x 0-1. 



(b) Warty spindles, 0-25 x 0-03. 



In the anthocodite the spicules are transparent. Some of the measure- 

 ments are appended : — 



{(t) " Crown and points" : (1) Almost smooth spindles, 0-2 x 0-02. 



(2) Warty spindles, 0-25 x 0-02. 

 (b) Tentacles — Warty scale like forms, 0-1 x 0-02. 

 Locality ; Andaman Sea, 19 fathoms. 



