ALCYONARIA. '287 



The polyps are white, and are for the most part restricted to the twigs. A few 

 occur on the stem on the side away from the axis. The polyp-spicules are arranged 

 in a crown with slightly projecting triangular points. Each point consists of about 

 7 spicules, the longest median one being supported by three on each side. Below 

 these running transversely are the rows of crown spicules. All the spicules are 

 colourless warty spindles, varying in length from 0'2 millim. to 0'6 millim., and in 

 breadth from 0'02 millim. to 0'08 millim. The verrucas are truncated cones, with a 

 height of 1 millim. to 2 > millims., and a basal diameter of 2 millims. A small crab 

 was found in the lumen of the tubular stem. 



Localities : Station LIX., 6 to 9 fathoms ; deep water outside banks, Gulf ot 

 Manaar ; Periya Paar, 9 fathoms ; deep water off Galle. 



Keroeides gracilis, WHITELEGGE. 



This species is represented by a complete colony and several fragments. The 

 complete specimen stands 85 millims. in height, with a maximum width of 56 millims. 

 The verrucse alternate on the sides of the stem and branches. They are low and 

 conical in shape, 1 millim. in height and in basal diameter. The ccenenchyma is thin, 

 smooth, and filled with large closely packed compound-tuberculated spicules. 



The irregularity of the spicules is fairly well marked and agrees with WHITELEGGE'S 

 description. By transmitted light they are of a bright red brick colour. 



The spicules are on the whole slightly larger than those of WHITELEGGE'S specimen. 

 The measurements obtained were: (l) For the spindles, 1'4 millims. to 2 "2 millims. 

 in length by 0'2 millim. to 0'5 millim. in width ; (2) Irregularly shaped spicules of 

 verrucae up to 1'6 millims. in length by 0'5 millim. in width ; (3) Spicules of the axis 

 from 0'3 millim. to 0'6 millim. in length. 



With the exception of the slightly larger measurements of the spicules, the 

 specimen approximates very closely to that described by WHITELEGGE (1897), and 

 also to that described by Miss HILES (1899). 



Locality : Deep water off Galle, Ceylon. 



Previously recorded from : -Milne Bay, British New Guinea, depth 20 fathoms, and 

 Funafuti, Ellice Islands. 



FAMILY : SCLEROGORGID^E. 

 Suberogorgia verriculata, ESPER. 



Several incomplete specimens, mostly about 7 centims. by 5 centims., forming 

 networks in one plane. One colony with its base complete has a height of 9 centims. 

 In a portion measuring 5'5 centims. by 3'5 centims., there were 22 complete meshes 

 and 11 incomplete meshes. The meshes differ widely in size, but 7 millims. by 

 5 millims. is a size which occurs very frequently. The average thickness of branch 

 is I'd millims. The colour is brown or drab, and the general texture of the 

 coenenchyma is granular. 



The verrucse are thickly crowded and occur all round the branches. They project 



