69 



The general crenenchyma is thin, and is practically composed of 

 scale-like spicules. On some parts of the stem and branches they are more .spindle- 

 shaped. In most parts the axis shines through the crenenchyma, but towards the 

 tips of the branches this transparency diminishes and finally disappears. 



The spicules are oval scales, spindles either thick or slender, irregular scales, 

 very irregularly branched spindles, and club-shaped forms with much branched foli;i. 



This species differs from P. atlantica in having more prominent and 

 crowded verrucae, and also in the details of the spiculation. 



Locality : Andamans ; 270-45 fathoms. 



Astrogorgia rubra, n. sp. Plate V. fig. 10. 



A portion of a reddish colony, 65 mm. in height. It consists of a main axis, 

 from which two branches arise. The larger branch arises at a distance of 30 nun. 

 from the base, is 50 mm. in length, and bears a secondary branch. 



The axis is horny, spirally twisted, chambered, and brownish in colour, with 

 a white core. 



The polyps are completely retractile within dome-shaped verrucae. On the 

 smaller branches the verrucse are disposed in a regularly alternate manner ; on the 

 larger branches they are almost opposite, and the spiral twisting of the axis make-* 

 it appear as if the verrucae occurred on all the four sides. The bare part of the 

 stem on each side is occupied by a longitudinal groove, spirally twisted. 



The verrucse are prominent and dome-shaped when the polyps are completely 

 retracted, but truncated cones when the polyps are partially retracted. The apical 

 margin of the verruca is marked by eight points, and there are eight opercular 

 parts, each composed of a few large spicules. 



The coenenchyma is fairly thick, and has a granular appearance due to the 

 arrangement of the spicules. They are all of a pink colour, somewhat diverse in 

 shape, and arranged in two layers. The inner layer is composed of (1) long thin 

 warty spindles disposed longitudinally, and varying in length from 0'3-0'4 mm., 

 and in width from '01 5-0 '002 mm. ; and (2) of short, thick, slightly warty blunt 

 spindles, from 0'2 mm. to 0'25 mm. in length, and from 0'04 mm. to O'Oo mm. in 

 width. 



The outer layer is composed of (1) small warty clubs, on an average 0'08 

 mm. in length by 0'93 mm. in width; and (2) irregular double clubs pl.-u-ed 

 perpendicularly to the surface, about 0'08 mm. in length by 0'04 mm. in width. 



On the tentacles there are longitudinal rows of short, thin, slightly warty 

 spindles, which vary in length from 0'09-0'i mm., and in width from '008-0 '01 mm. 



Locality : Station 218 ; 6 55' 6" N., 72 55' E. ; 210 fathoms. 



