Manchester Monoifs, Vol. Ixi. vi(;i6^\ Xo I. 15 



The spicules from ihe outer part of the axis are small 

 .rods, without processes, and usually slightly more expanded 

 ,at their centres than at the ends. The dimensions of the 

 spicules of the polyps "in millimetres are as follows :^ — {a) 

 straight spindles, from 0.04 x 0.013 to 0.0 10 x 0.013; (/;) 

 curved spindles, from 0.04 x 0.0 13 to 0.0 ! x 0.04; (r) clubs, 

 from 0.045 x 0.02 to o.oS x 0.03 mm.; the spicules from the 

 coenenchyme of the internodes are from 0.04 x 0.03 to 0.07 x 

 0.04; those of the nodes are similar. This specimen comes 

 near W . vanahilts, Th. & Hend. ; but is of a stronger build, 

 and the polyps appear different. 



Locality, etc. — Pieter Faure, No 11,125. Unikomass River 

 mouth, N.W. by \V., I \V., 5J miles. Depth, 40 fathoms. By 

 large dredge. Nature of Ijottom, broken shells and stones. 

 Date, December 31st, igoo. 



WrigJitella jragilis, sp.n. 

 Vlate II., Fig. 2; Plate 1'.. Fig. i 



The specimen is extremely fragile, and the upper branches 

 have unfortunately become broken, but a good drawing had 

 been prepared, and there is sufficient material for a fair descri])- 

 tion of the species. The colony is white, with yellowish 

 nodes. The surface of the stem and branches has a white, 

 granular appearance, and where this has been rubbed off the 

 axis is ivory-like white. The colony has at the base a slightly 

 shrub-like appearance, owing to the branching of the main 

 shoots not being m one plane, and there is also a slight anas- 

 tomosis. Above the comparatively thick main shoots, the 

 branches are apparently mostlv in one plane, though it is im- 

 possible to say from the broken specimen whether the apical 

 branches remain in one plane. The branches usually originate 

 from the nodes, very rarely from the internodes. The nodes 

 and internodes are clearly marked out, and the branching 

 approaches dichotomy, but it is not (]uite regular. Some of 

 the basal shoots are compressed, the apical are more cylindrical. 

 Longitudinal lines may sometimes be observed on the surface 

 of the branches. The nodes break up when scraped with a 

 needle, and the colony is more liable to break at these parts 

 than at the internodes. The structure of the nodes as seen in 

 rough transverse section is: (i) an external layer with spicules, 



(2) a thick area within the last, consisting mostly of fibres, and 



(3) a central axial pillar, built of consolidated spicules. Thc^ 

 structure of the internodes is similar to that of the nodes, but 

 the fi-brous layer is more sparsely, and the calcareous part more 

 prominently developed. The surface has a mass of spicules, 

 which are disposed horizontallv or radially to it, and form a 

 feltwork, without leavins" any intervening spaces. Within this 

 outer layer of spicules the axis is much consolidated, appear- 

 ing like a solid limy pillar. This consists of: (i) closely 



