186 



the specimens which have been damaged and are apparently decayed the 

 coenenchyma is ahnost white. 



As the colonies under examination present certain differences inter se, and 

 at the same time do not altogether conform to the figures given by Ellis and 

 Solander and reproduced by Lamouroux, it will be useful to make a few 

 general notes on the more typical specimens, before discussing in detail the 

 features of more diagnostic importance. 



The following measurements were taken of the height, breadth and thick- 

 ness, in centimetres : — 



{a) 9-5 X 8 X 3-5. (/>) 9x6x4. (r) 7x6x3. (r/) 10-5 x 4 x 2. {e) 6-5 x 7 x 4. 

 (./•) 5-.T X 4 X 4. (//) 6x4x3. {h) 6x4x3. 



In the largest and most complete specimen (Plate VI. fig. 1) the 

 branching is somewhat antler-like and is mostly confined to three planes, so 

 that the great majority of the branches are directed towards one surface. The 

 main stem is 8 mm. in diameter, and about 3 cm. from the base two large 

 branches arise at slightly different levels. The sinuous nature of the branches 

 is a marked feature in this colony, the branches themselves being separated by 

 distances of about 5 mm. The secondaries and tertiaries are short, thick and 

 cylindrical for the greater part of their length, but have characteristic steep 



conical terminations. One of the larger 

 branches is devoid of coenenchyma, and shows 

 clearly the internodal origin of the subsidiary 

 branches. 



A second specimen, which is incomplete, 

 consists of part of a main stem 6 cm. in 

 length, from which several branches arise in 

 all directions. (3f these, however, only one, 

 which is 9 cm. in length, bears the terminal 

 twigs intact. The branches spring from the 

 main stem at varying angles, about 45° being 

 the most frequent. The large complete branch 

 curves inwards towards the main stem and 

 gives origin to several smaller branches, some 

 of which remain simple while others bear 

 curved twigs. 



The third of the specimens whose mea- 

 surements are given may be regarded as 

 the most typical, although it is evidently only the terminal portion of a 

 large colony. It is very robust and bushy in appearance and maintains a 

 marked upward growth. The main branch is 8 mm. in diameter, and gives 

 origin to several almost equal bi'anches of about 5 mm. in diameter. From 



Fig. 76. Part of a colony of l&is hip- 

 puris, showing the palmate ter- 

 minations of the twigs. Natural 

 size. 



