1 8 Thomson, South African (jorgonacca. 



intervening polyps between the two lines ; ihey are shown m 

 the figure fairly lateral in position, but so placed as to be sc^en 

 better from the third than from the fourth side. The length 

 of the interno'des near ihe base of the colony is sometimes 

 7.5 mm., its diameter 2.8 mm., and apically the corresponding 

 dimensions are about 12 mm. and i mm. The length of a basal 

 node may be 3 mm., and its diameter the same; the size of an 

 apical node is about 1.5 by 1.3 mm. The nodes are partly 

 fibrous, partially spiculose, showing numerous small rod-like 

 spicules. The older internodes seem entirely calcareous, but 

 the younger have a fibrous axis. 



The axis is not perforated by longitudinal canals. The 

 internodes show small rounded rod-like spicules and other 

 forms of spicules, and a solid calcareous part. The polyps 

 are separated from one another by various interxals, sometimes 

 about 1.5 mm. The calyces are about 0.5 to 0.75 mm. in 

 height and diameter. 



The spicules of the tentacles are narrow,, red sjiindles, with 

 spines; in one branch the spicules producing the colour of the 

 tentacles are green. They are 0.072 x 0.018 to 0.288 x 0.036 mm. 



The spicules of the calyx are (a) spindles similar to those 

 of the tentacles but white, (^b) broadened clubs, (r) ordinary 

 clubs, and (('Z) irregular spicules. The broadened clubs are 

 from 0.072 X 0.024 mm. to 0.144 X 0.081 mm. The spicules of 

 the external part of the coenenchymc are {a) straight and curved 

 spindles, with small processes, {JA broadened clubs, {c) approxi- 

 mately spherical spicules with broadened processes, (<'/) ordinary 

 clubs, and {e) a few rod-like spicules without processes and 

 rounded at each end. The spindles are from 0.108 x 0.027 mm. 

 to 0.198 X 0.036 mm. The broadened clubs arc from 0.054 ^ 

 0.036 mm. to 0.144 X 0.063 mm.; spherical spicules about 

 0.072; clubs from 0.090 x 0.036 to 0.126 x 0..054 mm. ; rod-like 

 spicules with processes about 0.072 x 0.036 mm. ; rod-like 

 spicules without processes about o.ogo x 0.009. There are 

 small spicules similar to the last in the nodes, but in the inter- 

 nodes they are much more numerous. 



After some deliberation I believe these specimens to be a 

 new species of Wrightella, Gray. Six species of this genus 

 have been previously recorded, namely, VJ . coccinea. Gray; IT. 

 erylhroea, Gray ; {Mopsea erytJiroea, Kllinzinger) ; ir. variabilis, 

 Th. and H. ; TT. chrysanthos. Gray; W. tongaensis, Kiik. ; and 

 IF. robusta, Shann; the localities of which are the Red Sea, 

 South Africa, Zanzibar, Seychelles, Tonga, and Singapore. 

 Kiikenthal holds that W. 'Coccinea and W. chrysanthos are the 

 same,, and that W. erythroea and IT. variabilis belong to the 

 genus Acabaria. 



Localities, etc. — F. P., 12,238. Scottsburgh Light House, 

 N.W. by N., 8 miles. Depth, 92 fathoms. By dredge. Nature 

 of bottom, sand and shells. Date of collection, March 7th, 

 1 901. 



