ALCYONARIA. 313 



The stem has a groove on one side, and on the side directly opposite there is a 

 bare strip. The polyps are in three rows on each side of the groove. The verrucas 

 are very small. 



The following measurements were taken : 



Diameter of stem at lower end, 3 '2 millims. 

 ,, axis ,, ,, 2 ,, 



stem at upper 2 ,, 



The spicules measure, length by breadth in millimetres, as follows : 



Spindles, O'OG X 0'03 ; 0'07 X 0'03. 



Double clubs, 0'05 X 0'04; O'OG X 0'04. 



Double spindles, 0'06 X 0'04 ; 0'05 X 0'035. 



Scirpearia, sp. (?) Plate IV., fig. 1 ; Plate V., fig. 16. 



This specimen is a fragment without the base. It measures 410 millims. in length 

 and divides at a distance of 38 millims. from its basal end into two long whip-like 

 branches. 



The axis is deeply grooved. There is a median bare space on each side. The polyps 

 are darker in colour than the stem. 



The spicules measure, length by breadth in millimetres, as follows : 



Double clubs, 0'06 X 0'04 ; 0'063 X 0'04. Darker coloured, 0'08 X 0'025 ; 

 0'07 X 0'02. In its spicules it is quite distinct from any Juncella. 



It may seem of little service to suggest problematical species based on a study of 

 fragments, but as we have given some description of each, our procedure is probably 

 preferable to that of some other students of Alcyonacea, who have given names nude 

 of any description. 



Our impression is that the elongated forms of Scirpearella, Juncella, and the like, 

 so monotonous in general appearance, so perplexingly diverse when one gets beneath 

 the surface, are subject to great variability. The same remark applies to Spongodes, 

 Acts, Muricella, Verrucella, and many other Alcyonarians. 



Juncella gemmacea (VALENCIENNES) Plate IV., figs. 4 and 5. 



There are several specimens of this species in the collection. The finest one was 

 3 feet 7 inches in length, with a yellow basal expansion 3 centims. across, and with a 

 stem measuring 9 millims. in diameter at the base. The stem increased to 12 millims. 

 in diameter, and 10 millims. was a fair average. The lateral lines were spirally 

 twisted. Another specimen measures 193 millims. in length and tapers from 7 millims. 

 in diameter at the base to 4 '5 millims. at the tip; another measures 292 millims. in 

 length with a basal diameter of 4 millims. The thickest piece measured 9 millims. in 

 basal diameter, the axis alone amounting to 5 millims., and had an apical diameter of 

 3 millims. The side-line on either side of the stem is distinct. The axis is 

 longitudinally grooved. 



