68 



Iii the wall of the verruca the spicules are arranged longitudinally, and many 

 have a broad end formed of two diverging processes. 



In the anthocodife the spicules are arranged in a crown and points. The 

 crown consists of four rows of spicules, the triangular points consist of two con- 

 verging spicules, sometimes with one in between, with the apices directed towards 

 the base of the tentacles. 



The spicules of the polyps and verrucse are ( 1 ) simple spindles, straight or 

 curved ; (2) spindles with a foliar expansion on one side ; and (3) spindles or clubs 

 with a branched foliar expansion at one end. 



They are all covered by rough warty protuberances. The following measure- 

 ments were taken of length and breadth in millimetres : 



1. Spindles, 1-2x0-2; l'OxO'2; 0'8x0'12; 0'4x0'09; 0'4x0'05. 



2. Spindles with foliar expansion on the sides, 0'9x0'2, with foliar expan- 



sion 0-2x0-2; 0-7x0-13, with foliar expansion 0'2xO-12; 0-5x0-12, with 

 foliar expansion - 2x0'2. 



3. Spindles or clubs, rOxO'3; 0'8x0'4; 0'5x0'3; '4x0 '36 in maximum 



diameter. 



The spicules of the stem are spindles either curved or straight, with many 

 rough warts, and often divided at the ends. Their dimensions are : 



l-lxO'15; 07x0-15; 0'5xO'l; 0'4x0'04. 

 Locality : Andamans ; 270-45 fathoms. 



Placogorgia orientalis, n. sp. 



An incomplete specimen, 83 mm. in height. There is a slightly conical basal 

 attachment, from which the main axis arises. The branches lie in one plane, and 

 arise irregularly, in some parts alternate, in other parts not. The axis is horny, oval 

 in section, and dark brown in colour, with a lighter core in the younger branches. 



The verrucse are arranged in a linear series, on each lateral edge of the stem 

 and branches, those of the one series alternating with those of the other. There 

 are always two at the tip of a twig. The anthocodiee can be retracted within the 

 verruca margin. The anthocodial spicules are arranged in a crown and points ; 

 the narrow crown consists of four transverse rows ; each triangular point consists 

 of two spicules diverging slightly towards their base and of one or two others 

 alongside of them. 



The verrucoe are short and conical, almost alternate, 1 mm. in height, slightly 

 truncated at the tip. Their wall is formed of scale-like spicules, with those in the 

 upper row slightly more spindle-shaped. They show considerable diversity as 

 regards the size and shape of the spicules, but these are always similar to those of 

 the general coanenchyma at the same place. They can close in so as almost to 

 hide the completely retracted anthocodiae. 



