240 



The architecture of the verruc?e and polyps and the nature of the spiculation 

 agree closely with the preceding example. 



Elasmogorgia flexilis, Hickson. 



Belonging to this species there'is a slender slightly branched colony 330 mm. 

 long from which three branches arise in an alternate manner. Two of these 

 again bear a secondary branch. The longest of the main branches measures 

 190 mm. All are elongated, filiform and very flexible. The general colour of 

 the colony is a creamy-white. 



The ccenenchyma is thin, and is composed of slightly ovoid spicules 

 arranged irregularly. In the verrucaj the spicules are more slender and dis- 

 })osed longitudinally. 



The polyps are scattered over the whole surface on the lower portion, but 

 near the ends of the branches they occur in a single row on each side, separated 

 by two bare spaces where the black axis appears through the ccenenchyma. The 

 verrucse are small and compressed, slightly cylindrical when expanded, wart-like 

 when closed. Their bases merge into one another and give an undulating 

 appearance. They are I'To mm. long, 1-25 mm. broad and 1 mm. in height. 

 The anthocodiine are completely retractile ; there is a definite operculum formed 

 by long warty spindles which extend to the base of the tentacles forming eight 

 triangular points. The disposition of the spicules in the points is not always 

 the same. Sometimes they are arranged "en chevron" but more often irre- 

 gularly ; several short bent spicules always form the base and so constitute 

 an indefinite collaret. 



The axis is black in colour with a brownish tint. It is composed of longi- 

 tudinal horny strands and is very thin and flexible. 



The spicules have the following measurements in millimetres : — 



(a) Warty ovoid forms, 0-21 x 0175 ; 0*175 x 0125. These gradually merge 

 into — 



(/;) Types tapering to one end, 0"3 x 0125 ; 0"3 x 0"15 ; eventually appearing 



(c) Club-like, 0*225 x 01 ; 015 x 0075. 



{(l) There are also warty spindles, 0*22 x 0*05 ; 0*2 x 01 ; 0-2 x 0-05. 



(e) Quadri-radiates with x-shaped marking, 0*12 x O'OfJ ; 0"1 x 0-09. 



(./■) Spiny spindles of anthocodiie, 0*3 x 004 ; 0*21 x 0*03 ; 0*2 x 0*03 ; 

 OlS X 002. 



The largest spicules in the type specimen rarely exceeded 0*2 mm., but 

 0"3 mm. is by no means an uncommon measurement in our specimen, otherwise 

 it agrees in detail with Hickson's description. 



Locality : Andamans. 



Previously recoi^ded from Suvadiva, 20 fathoms, also 37 fathoms. 



