220 



This new species is represented in the Wood-Mason Collection by a mag- 

 nificent orange-coloured colony, 160 mm. in height and 60 mm. in breadth. 

 The branching is not altogether in one plane, but there is a distinct approxima- 

 tion to it. The axis near the base is brownish-black in colour ; in the twigs it 

 is yellowish. The coenenchyma is thick, and consequently the branches vary 

 little in diameter, the average being about 2 mm. The branching is sparse and 

 the branches arise at various angles. The verruca; are almost inconspicuous ; 

 the anthocodise are very minute and white in colour. 



Echinogorgia flexilis, n. sp. Plate 1. fig. 4. 



This species is represented by a fragment of a colony consisting of part of 

 a branch devoid of coenenchyma, from the middle of which there arises almost 

 perpendicularly a short rugose twig. The axis of the larger branch measures 

 3 cm. in length and 1'5 mm. in diameter, that of the smaller 5 cm. in length 

 and only Oo mm. in diameter. With the coenenchyma the latter is 2 mm. 

 thick. 



The ctenenchyma is moderately thin but is densely beset with foliaceous 

 spicules standing perpendicularly, giving it a very rugose appearance. The 

 general colour is a light orange brown. 



The verruCcC are dome-like and very prominent. When expanded they 

 are inclined slightly to the stem, but when retracted they stand perpendicularly. 

 Their exterior is similar to that of the crenenchyma, the folia being arranged 

 circumferentially. They are slightly flattened and measure 13o mm. in length, 

 1-25 mm. in breadth, and r2 mm. in height. They are disposed all round the 

 coenenchyma, but for the most part in four rows, the base of one merging into 

 the base of the next. The anthocodise are wholly retractile, but when expanded 

 measure 1'5 mm. in length, the tentacles scarcely exceeding 05 mm. There is 

 a very primitive operculum, consisting of eight points and a few horizontally 

 disposed spindles forming a sort of collaret. Sometimes there is only one 

 spicule in the point, at other times two enclose an acute angle directed towards 

 the distal end of the tentacles, while in a few cases two bent spindles touch on 

 their convex sides but with both ends diverging outwards. 



The axis is very calcareous, cylindrical and of a brownish-black colour. 

 The surface is marked by a few indistinct longitudinal striie. 



The spicules of the coenenchyma are practically all of one type, viz., one, 

 two, or more warty rays with a flat foliaceous expansion. The folia are some- 

 what semicircular and are generally smooth, but occasionally they bear a few 

 warts or a radial ridge which disappears towards the circumference. 



The following are some of the measurements in millimetres 



