219 



Echinogorgia macrospiculata, n. sp. 

 Plate V. fig. 7 ; IMate IV. fig. 8 ; Plate VIII. fig. 1. 



A small orange cok)urcd colony, at first vei-y puzzling, must, we think, he 

 refei'red to this genus. In extoi'nal appearance it resembles an Aris very closely, 

 but a microscopic examination of the spicules reveals its Echinogorgid affinities. 



It is 60 mm. in height and 60 mm. in maximum breadth. The branching 

 is in one plane, but the branches arise quite irregularly and diverge upwards 

 and downwards. 



The axis is blackish, horny and comparatively soft and Hexible. 



The coenenchyma is thick, and when viewed with a lens appears glistening 

 and seems to be covered with large fairly regular scales. There are two layers 

 of spicules, those of the inner layer being very diverse in shape. 



In one part a very peculiar feature is presented. Between the coenenchyma, 

 which is supported by a film-like growth, and the axis there is a large cavity 

 which extends for about 30 mm. along the main branch and so gives it a very 

 dilated appearance. No trace of any animal could be found in the cavity, but 

 it is not impossible that it formed the retreat of some small crustacean, as in 

 Sok'Hocaalon. But it may perhaps be a pathological condition. 



Polyps occur all over the coenenchyma. The verrucas are fairly prominent 

 and dome-like, and are covered with the same type of scale as the coenenchyma. 

 The anthocodine are extremely minute so that at first we were inclined to think 

 that they had all been detached, but closer investigation revealed small 

 olobular bodies with infolded tentacles. The aboral surface of the tentacle 

 showed a single minute spindle, or in some cases two spindles. No collaret 

 was visible. 



The spicules are of a pale orange colour. The following are the chief types 

 with measurements length by breadth in millimetres : — 



{a) Massive microtuberculate scales recalling those of Acis, 0"9 x 0-4 ; 

 0-8 X 0-3; 0-7 X 0-3; 0-6 x O'S. 



{!>) " Blattkeulen" with one end .spindle-shaped and very warty, 0-45 x 0-375 ; 

 0-4 x 0-3 ; 0-35 x 03 ; 025 x 0-25. 



{(■) Bi-palmate or almost stellate forms, 0-3 x 0-2 ; 0-275 x 0-2. 



{d) Warty club-shaped forms with very irregular ends, 0-4 x 0-3 ; 0-4 x 0-25 ; 

 0-4 X 0-2. 



{e) Irregular discs, 0-5 x 0-4 ; 0-4 x 0-3 ; 0-35 x 0-25. 



(/) Spindles, 0-3 x 0-05 ; 025 x 005 ; 0-15 x 0-025. 



This is a very characteristic form and is distinguished essentially by (1) the 

 enormous massive warty scales, (2) the diminutive anthocodiae which are out of 

 all proportion to the verrucse, and (3) the primitive pseudo-operculum. 



Locality ; Andamans. 



