THE ALCYONARIA OF THE MALDIVES. 817 



specimens are placed in the genus Gorgonella on the grounds that the axes contain a 

 considerable amount of lime, that the coenenchym is moderately thick, that the verrucae are 

 slightly or not at all prominent, and that the spicules are of the general size and shape 

 common to many species of the genus. 



The specimen described by Ridley (17) under the name Gorgonella umhella Esper, resembles 

 our specimens to some extent, but as the author does not state what the character of the axis 

 is, it may be a matter of some doubt whether they really belong to this family at all. 



There is some difficulty in drawing a hard line of distinction between this genus and 

 Verrucella which it resembles in many respects. But Verrucella appears to have a more 

 delicate habit, to have smaller spicules and to have more prominent verrucae. The verrucae 

 are moreover situated principally on the sides of the branches and not scattered all over as 

 they are in our specimens. 



The important characters which distinguish our specimens may be summarised as follows: — 



Corallum branching profusely in one plane to form an elaborate reticulate flabellum. 

 Verrucae very slightly or not at all prominent, unevenly scattered over the surfaces of the 

 main branches and branchlets. Coenenchym moderately thick. Axis containing a considerable 

 quantity of calcium carbonate. Spicules of the coenenchym, spindles and a few double clubs. 



The colour of our specimens is very pale brown or white. In this respect they differ 

 from Studer's specimen which he describes as " lackroth." 



The largest specimen (from N. Male) is about 125 mm. in height and 150 mm. in width. 

 It branches profusely in one plane and the branches anastomose freely to form meshes, many 

 of which are 20 — 30 mm. long by 5 mm. broad, but in the course of the reticulum there are 

 many much smaller meshes, 5 mm. x 3 mm. or less. The terminal branches are about 2 mm. 

 in diameter. The anthocodiae are withdrawn completely, but the retracted tentacles can be 

 clearly seen through an open gap in the coenenchym. The verrucae are very slight in most 

 parts of the colony, rather more pronounced in others. 



The general appearance of this colony is very similar to Ellis's picture of Gorgonia reti- 

 cularis (3), but unfortunately this author gives no descrij)tion of the species. 



The spicules of the coenenchym are of two kinds. The majority are blunt spindles with 

 crowded exfoliating tubercles and their length is fairly uniformly 0"1 mm. ; but in addition 

 to these there are a few small double-heads '043 mm. in length. In the tentacles there are 

 spindles, some straight and some slightly bent, smoother and flatter than the spindles of the 

 coenenchym, and usually a trifle longer. The only statement I can find about the spicules of 

 this species is that of Studer (20) " Die Spicula sind warzige Spindeln und Doppelkeulen." 



The second specimen (from Mahlosmadulu Atoll) is in several pieces, and it is impossible 

 to estimate at all accurately the size and shape of the colony as a whole. The coenenchym 

 is rather thicker than in the N. Male specimen and the zooids are even more contracted, so 

 that the verrucae have the appearance of small pores at the summit of very slight prominences. 



In fact, taking all the superficial characters together, it is more like a Plexaurid than 

 a Gorgonellid. The investigation of the spicules and other microscopic characters, however, 

 leaves little doubt that it belongs to the same species as the N. Mahlos specimen. 



The dried specimen from an unknown locality is only a fragment, and is noteworthy only 

 from the fact that it is of a rufous colour. 



105—2 



