THE GORGONACEA COLLECTED BY DR WILLEY. 203 



On the upper part of the stem and on the branches they are borne chiefly laterally 

 and alternately. 



They measure "36 to "64 mm. in height, and "5 mm. in breadth. 



The terminal ones are usually large, measuring "92 mm. by 1-01 mm. at the base. 

 They are smooth, like the rest of the coenenchyma, and divided into eight rays at the 

 summit, which are folded over the retracted polyps. 



The spicules are double clubs and double spindles with irregular rings of tubercles 

 and a bare zone in the centre. 



Some are pointed at the ends and some are rounded. There are a few double 

 stars. 



The spicules are colourless. 



The pointed spicules measure "11 x - 0l!s mm. 



Those with rounded ends measure '08 x "036 mm. 



The double stars measure - 046 x 018 mm. 



The colony is pale fawn in colour in spirit. When alive it was pure white. 



Habitat. Blanche Bay, Xe\v Britain. Depth, .50 fathoms. 



Previously recorded from the West Indies. It is a noteworthy point in geo- 

 graphical distribution, that the same species of Verrucella should be found both in 

 the West Indies and at a depth of 50 fathoms in Blanche Bay, New Britain. 



Commensal with this species of Verrucella is a large number of Anemones, 

 belonging apparently to the tribe Hexactiniae, family Amphianthidae Hertwig, all the 

 members of which are attached to Gorgonidae. 



The circular muscle, i.e. the sphincter, is mesogloeal and very powerful. 



It is not a Stephanactis, as there is no circular swelling dividing the animal into 

 an upper and a lower section, and the tentacles are not numerous, but the animals 

 are all in such a strong state of contraction that it is impossible to accurately tell 

 their number or arrangement. 



It is not an Amphianthus, as the wall is not covered with papillae. 



It agrees most closely with Gephyra dornii, v. Koch ; the two forms are of the 

 same size, 1*5 mm. in diameter at the base and 1 to 1*5 mm. in height. But the 

 tentacles are less numerous, seeming to be in two rows of 18. Von Koch describes 

 a secretion of horny matter of which I see no trace in this form. Thus the specimens 

 do not seem to belong to any of the three known genera of the Amphianthidae. 

 The characters, as far as it is possible to make them out owing to the strongly 

 contracted condition, are : — 



Amphianthidae with a firm, smooth wall and a strong circular muscle, mesogloeal 

 in position; the tentacles 1 are apparently in two rows of 18. There is no circular 

 swelling. 



Provisionally the name of Peronanthus 2 verrucellae might be given to these com- 

 mensal anemones. 



1 The tentacles, if they can be so called, were quite obscure in the fresh condition and the Anthozooid 

 bore an external resemblance to a Scyphistoma. The colour was reddish yellow. [Ed.] 

 - Trtpbvt) a brooch, and avBos a flower. 



29—2 



