268 



The polyps are disposed over the whole circumference, but in the main 

 stem there is a bare space on each of the flattened surfaces, interrupted in a 

 few places by an occasional young polyp. The verrucse are about 1 mm. in 

 height and 1 mm. in diameter. They are cylindrical and bear distinct ridges 

 and furrows ; they present a stellate structure at the tip. They are more 

 orange in colour than the rest of the coenenchyma, but the ridges are lighter 

 and stand out in marked contrast. 



The axis is calcareous but more densely near the periphery than in the 

 core, and much more so in the twigs than in the older portions. It is not 

 lamellar in structure, but appears almost as if sclerogorgic. The surface is 

 smooth and glistening. 



Several fragments also occur from the Laccadives. The branching is pre- 

 dominantly in one plane, but one branch arises perpendicular to this i)lane and 

 gives off' twigs, so that the whole stands at right angles to the original plane of 

 ramification. The specimens are paler in colour than the colony above de- 

 scribed, but show the same ridging, which is visible even to the naked eye. The 

 polyps are disposed in a close spiral and are about 1'5 mm. in height. The 

 verructe are cylindrical, ridged and furrowed, and have a depression at the oral 

 aperture. 



The spicules are typical of the group to which this genus belongs. The 

 following are the chief types with measurements length by breadth in milli- 

 metres : — 



(a) Thick warty spindles with very rugose ends and the warts in irregular 

 whorls, 0-08 x 0-03 ; 0-08 x 002 ; 006 x 0-03 ; 007 x 0025. 



(/;) Irregularly warted spindles, 006 x 0025 ; 005 x 00175 ; 0-05 x 002. 



(c) Double clubs with a very narrow constriction, 007 x 0-04 ; 0-06 x 0"03 ; 

 05 X 03. 



(d) Small double-clubs, 0-03 x 002. 



(e) Double-spindles, 0-07 x 0025 ; 006 x 0-02. 



{ /") Crosses with a very distinct x-shaped marking, 0"06 x 0'05 ; 004 x 0"04. 

 Localities : Andamans ; Laccadives, 30-50 fathoms. 



GENUS JUNCELLA, Valenciennes. 



Juncella racemosa, Wright and Studer. 



(= ./. miniacea, Thomson and Henderson.) 



There occurs in the Wood-Mason Collection a small portion of a colony 

 40 mm. in height and 25 mm. in breadth which agrees closely with the above 

 species. The main branch gives off five smaller branches on one side and 

 one on the other, so that the colony has a unilateral appearance. Two of 

 these branches also give rise to fine twigs. 



