218 



(6) Irregular discs with a varying number of projecting arms, 0"4 x 0'3 ; 

 0-3 X 0-2 ; 0-25 x 02. 



{(■) Club-shaped forms with the expanded end very irregular and warty but 

 the handle comparatively smooth, 0"5 x 0'3 ; 0"25 x 0'2, 



(d) Warty spindles curved and straight, 0-45 x 0-08 ; 0-4 x 0'07 ; 03 x 006. 



{e) Si:)iny spindles straight, curved, or " golf-club-shaped " from the antho- 

 codia;, 0-4 x 004 ; 03 x 0-03. 



Localities : Andamans ; Arakan Coast, 13 fathoms. 



Previously recorded from Mermaid Straits, N.W. Australia, 50 fathoms. 



Echinogorgia multispinosa, Thomson and Henderson. 



Two colonies of a slightly orange colour, though differing considerably in 

 general appearance from the type specimen, must be i"efen'ed to this species. 



The largest specimen, which is complete and bears a basal attachment, 

 measures 15 cm. in height and 7 cm. in maximum breadth. It consists of a 

 short main stem 3 cm. in length and 3 mm. in diameter from which two large 

 branches are given off almost dichotomously. One of these has all the branches 

 broken off, the other, which thus constitutes the colony, gives rise to secondary 

 branches at very obtuse angles, in some cases perpendicularly. These again 

 bear twigs in the same perpendicular manner. There is no hint of anastomosis 

 in either specimen. 



The second specimen is evidently part of an enormous colony. It measures 

 9'5 cm. in height by 5 cm. in breadth. It consists of part of a large stem of 

 5 5 mm. in diameter from which the main branch arises. This bears secondary 

 branches and twigs in a manner similar to the first specimen. This colony is 

 also interesting from the number of animals growing on it. The main stem is 

 encircled by a great number of Zoantharian corals, but there also occur woi'ui- 

 tubes, barnacles, crinoids and several Polyzoa. 



The polyps occur over the whole surface, being densely crowded on the 

 smaller twigs. The verructe openings are protected by a projecting circlet of 

 spicules within which a distinct eight-rayed operculum may be seen. 



The coenenchyma is finely granular and almost transparent. The dis- 

 tinguishing feature of this species is the enormous variety of forms of spicules, 

 the chief types being warty spindles, tuberculate or denticulate clubs, and 

 irregular warty scales. In measurement these correspond exactly with the type 

 specimen. 



Previously recorded from Ceylon. 



Localities : Andamans ; Coromandel Coast, 14-15 fathoms. Marine Survey. 



