258 



are expanded there is a considerable bare space, between the top of the verruca 

 and the collaret, corresponding to the stomodseal region. 



The spicules are mostly spindles ; with the exception of the red forms of 

 the inner layer of the coenenchyma they are colourless. The following are 

 some of the measurements length by breadth in millimetres : — 



(a) Coenenchyma : (1) Red spiny or slightly warty spindles, 0'3 x 0'04 ; 



0-3 X 003 ; 0-2 x 003. 

 (2) Spindles covered with minute warts. These are 

 generally very broad and massive. Some are 

 much curved, others are S-shaped ; some are 

 scale-like, others are bifurcated, 2 x 0'4 ; TS x 

 0-3; 1-4 X 0-35. 



(b) Anthocodiae : (1) Crown and points, spiny spindles, 0'8 x 01 ; 0'8 x 0'08 ; 



0-7 X 0075 ; 0-6 x 005. 

 (2) Tentacles, 0-2 x 0-03 ; 0-15 x 0-02. 

 Locality : Andamans. 



GENUS EUMURICEA, Verrill. 



Eumuricea splendens, n. sp. 



Plate IV. figs. 2 and 3 ; Plate VIII. fig. 17. 



A beautiful pink robust colony, one of the finest in the collection, represents 

 this species. It measures 9"5 cm. in height and 6 cm. in breadth. From a 

 spreading base several main stems arise, but only two of these are perfect, the 

 others being broken off close to their origin. 



The branching is confined to one plane, and there is a marked tendency for 

 the branches to arise from one side of the axis. On the largest main stem 

 there are ten branches, seven taking their origin on one side ; out of nine 

 on the other stem six arise on the same side. This noteworthy feature also 

 obtains in the case of the secondaries, there being but one exception. Cirripede 

 galls are numerous both on the stem and branches, and these are overgrown 

 with coenenchyma, which bears polyps. 



The axis is horny and flexible and of a golden yellow colour. It is com- 

 posed of long fibrous strands and is hollow in the centre, presenting a chambered 

 appearance. In reality the cavity is filled with a pulpy mass which seems to be 

 formed into small spherical pellets connected together. 



The ccenenchyma is thick excei)t near the base where the yellow axis 

 shines through. It forms the support of the colony and is composed of short 

 thick warty spindles which are arranged for the most part longitudinally but 

 still somewhat irregularly. 



