78 " ENDEAVOUR " SCIENTIFIC RESULTS. 



branches ascend in the same zigzag manner, and are bent 

 at the point of departure of each twig. The stem has a 

 maximum diameter of 2-5cm. ; the average diameter of the 

 larger branches is 2mm., and of the twigs 1mm. 



The axis is made up of orange-coloured calcareous inter- 

 nodes with fine longitudinal fluting, and short broAvn-coloiired 

 nodes. Near the base of the colony the major portion of the 

 stem is composed of horny nodes, which are l-5mm. long. 

 These entirely overlap the calcareous internodes. Higher 

 up the calcareous joints are 2mm. in length ; the horny 

 joints being reduced to 0-5mm. The branches arise from 

 the horny nodes. 



The polyps are mainly confined to the twigs, along each 

 side of which they are arranged alternately in a single row. 

 A few occur here and there on the branches. The arrange- 

 ment of the polyps on the t^^-igs shows great regularity and 

 evenness. There are about eleven polyps on one side in a 

 length of 1cm. 



The polyps are 0-75- 1mm. in height, and club-shaped 

 with truncate mouths, which are incurved toward the cortex 

 of the twig. The calyces are armoured with eight rather 

 indefinite, longitudinal rows of transversely arranged, over- 

 lapping scales. The abaxial rows are composed of about 

 sixteen such spicules. The calyx spicules are elongate to 

 oval, ctenoid scales with their free edge crisply waved ; the 

 remainder of the margin bears more or less deep indentations. 

 Warts are scattered over the surface of the scale, and the 

 clear border round the exposed portion of the scale bears 

 strongly-marked radiating ridges. The following measm-e- 

 ments of the length and breadth in millimetres were taken : — 

 •166 X -087; -140 x -087; -122 x -070; -105 x -052. Alow 

 eight-rayed operculum is formed by similar scales. 



The spicules of the coenenchyma are yellow spindles: — 

 •140 X •052mm. ; ^122 x •070mm. ; •105xb52mm. ; -087 x 

 •035mm. They have relatively few, but large warts. There 

 are also a few crosses and small irregular bodies — -087 x ^070 

 mm. ; -070 x •052mm. ; -052 x ■052mm. The coenenchyma 

 is thin and the spicules follow the longitudinal direction of 

 the stalk. 



The colour of the colonies is reddish-brown. 



Localities. — Thirty-six miles S. 58° W. of Cape Wickham, 

 King Island, Bass Strait, 72-80 fathoms. 



Fifteen miles south of St. Francis Island, South Australia, 

 30 fathoms. 



