270 



V.flexaom and draw attention to such points as seem most variable, (•;.//., mode 

 of branching, colour, nature of surface of coenenchyma, prominence and shape of 

 verrucfe, etc. It is worthy of note with reference to this species that Klunzinger 

 says that anastomosis is exceptional whereas in (A) it is extremely abundant. 



The following are some of the more important types : — 



(A) Several broken specimens of a beautiful onmge-red colour, the largest 

 80 mm. in height and 130 mna. in maximum breadth, may be grouped together. 

 The branching is irregular, and as no basal portion is present it is impossible to 

 detect in what direction the main branches extend. It is distinctly in one plane, 

 and there are abundant anastomoses forming a loose network. 



A very remarkable feature is the presence of an enormous number of 



. cirripede galls overgrown with polyp-bearing coenenchyma, leaving only a small 



opening for the protrusion of the appendages of the crustacean. There are 



no fewer than twenty-nine in the specimen of which the measurements are given. 



The largest branch measures 2"5 mm. in diameter but the average is about 

 l"2o mm. 



The coenenchyma is thick and very densely packed with minute spicules. 

 The colour varies in the different specimens from an orange-red to a dull brown, 

 due to the variable colour of the thin outer layer of double-clubs. 



The polyps are disposed irregularly on all sides and are numerous on the 

 cirripede galls. The size and shape of the verructe depend on the stage of re- 

 traction. When fully expanded they are almost cylindrical, 1-25 mm. long and 

 1 mm. broad, with eight very prominent tooth-like lobes, around the peri- 

 phery. The anthocodite are completely retractile. The tentacles are first in- 

 folded, the lobes subsequently coming together and forming an eight-rayed star. 

 On further invagination this disappears and the verruca assumes a dome-like 

 form 1 mm. in height and 1'25 nmi. in diameter with a uniformly granular 

 surface. 



The axis is cylindrical, very calcareous and of a pale yellow colour. Where 

 anastomosis takes place the two axes completely fuse together. 



The spicules are (1) well-developed double-clubs; (2) transitions to double 

 spindles ; and (3) spindles. They are characterised by smooth, blunt warts, 

 and have the following measurements in millimetres : — 



{a) Large red double-clubs of the outer layer : — 



0-065 X 005 ; constriction, 003 broad and 0007 long. 

 0-067 X 005; „ 003 „ „ 00075 „ 



[b) Colourless double-clubs : — 



0065x0035; constriction, 002 broad and 0-005 long. 

 0-06x0-035; „ 0-02 „ „ 0-007 „ 



(r) Smaller colourless and red double-clubs : — 



005 X 003 ; constriction, 0018 broad and 0-067 long. 



