259 



The polyps are large and stand out longitudinally. Near the base of the 

 main stem and at the origin of the branches they are disposed mostly on the 

 two sides, but on all other parts they are crowded over the whole coenenchyma. 

 The verrucne are prominent and measure 2 mm. in diameter and 15 mm. in 

 height. The spicular arrangement is very marked there being eight distinct 

 ridges terminating in eight points. The disposition is almost " en chevron," 

 but the pairs sometimes overlap one another. The walls of the verrucse are 

 thick and rigid. 



The anthocoditii are completely retractile. When protruded, but with the 

 tentacles infolded, there is a distinct crown and points arrangement, the spicules 

 of the points being arranged in pairs enclosing more and more obtuse angles 

 towards the base, eventually merging into the circlets of curved spindles which 

 form the crown. When the anthocodia? are retracted the eight projections of 

 the verrucas close over them, and when partially closed show a beautiful octo- 

 radiate star-like arrangement, the coenenchyma in the angles being devoid of 

 spicules. 



Young polyps occur irregularly among the older ones and around the 

 periphery of the tips of the branches, never on the tips themselves. 



The following are the chief types of spicules with some measurements in 

 millimeti'es : — 



(a) Coenenchyma : Spindles, densely covered with papillose warts sometimes 



arranged in whorls, red or colourless, 08 x 0"15 ; 

 0-4 X 015. 

 More slender spindles with fewer warts, 0'5 x 0'075 ; 



0-35 X 005. 

 Small irregular forms, somewhat spindle-shaped, 015 x 

 025. 

 {//) Verrucse : Spindles with papillose warts, 07 x O'l ; 0-75 x 0'075 to 



0-35 X 015. 

 (c) Anthocodiee : Spiny curved and straight spindles, red in colour, 



0-6 X 0075 ; 025 x 004 ; 02 x 0035. 

 Another specimen cm. high and 7 cm. broad occurs in this collection luit 

 from a different locality. The one-sided method of branching is again pro- 

 minent, the numbers in this case being six and two. The verrucse are very 

 closely packed together. 



This species bears some resemblance to E. acervata, Verrill, with which, 

 however, we cannot identify it. 



Localities : Marble Rock, Mergui. 



