210 



Branches in alternating series ; twigs have knob-like endings. The coenenchyma 

 is thick and rough. The polyps are in closely packed sjiirals ; they are small 

 and wart-like with oval slit-like mouths ; the polyps are at most 1 mm. in 

 diameter and 0"5 mm. in height. The spicules are (1) spiny discs of triangular 

 shape armed with warts, 0'63 mm. x018 mm. ; (2) spiny discs, much-branched 

 and usually trifoliate, 0'24 mm. x 0-14 mm. ; 025 mm. x 02 mm. ; 021 mm. x 013 

 mm. ; (3) multi-radiate stellate forms from which a smooth pointed ray goes off; 

 (4) spindles frequently curved and unilaterally rayed, 0"16mm. x O'Oo mm. ; 0"25 

 mm. X 07 mm. 



The operculum is formed by short smooth spicules, two to three at the 

 base of each tentacle. The spicules are of a dark red colour. The general 

 colour of the colony is dark coral red. The axis is horny, flexible, elastic, 

 brown ; the twigs are yellowish. 



Locality : Torres Straits. 



(c) A young specimen of a crimson-red colour. Diameter of branches, 

 2 to 3 mm. The surface of the coenenchyma is very rough and there are practi- 

 cally no verructe ; the polyps are yellowish and the mouth is seen as a very 

 precise oval aperture. The spicules are very variable : — 



(1) Fusiform, pointed at both ends with distant tubercles, 0"2 to 0'4 mm. 



long. 



(2) Larger fusiform with tubercles. 



(3) Large and variable " Blattkeulen " often roughly triangular, with a 



shaft often divided into tubercled branches and a foliar expansion 

 with 2 to 5 teeth. Some measure 06 mm. in length. 



(4) Irregular stellate forms with transitions to irregular discs, 0*2 mm. 



X 3 mm. 



(5) Tri- and hex-radiate forms with transitions to stellate type. 



The spicules are not quite in agreement with the description and figures 

 given by Wright and Studer, but the differences do not seem important. 

 Locality : Ceylon. 



R ramulosa, Gray = Bovd/a ramu/osa, Gray. Wright and Studer, " ' Challenger' 

 Report," vol. xxxi. p. 120. Plate XXIII. fig. 8 ; Plate XXV. fig. 6. 



This species differs in some interesting particulars from the typical species 

 of the genus. The polyps are more prominent than in any other species and 

 are well developed on one surface of the stem only. The one-sided spiny 

 spindles and spiny discs are predominant and are arranged in the coenenchyma 

 in a pavement-like fashion. (This distinguishes it from E. flabellum.) It is 

 richly branched in one plane and the branches and twigs are free. (Gray's 

 specimen had anastomosis.) The lateral branches terminate in slight thicken- 

 ings. The stem and branches are flattened on two sides ; the coenenchyma is 



