l-i Proceedings of the Royal Irish Acadeini/. 



(c) Colo2t/: — The colour of the colonies is due almost entirely to the 

 pigment in the calcareous spicules, so that there is very little change after 

 long preservation in spirit. The fleshy part of the coerfeuchyma is generally 

 pinkish; but the loss of this, due to immersion in alcohol, is hardly 

 perceptible in the final tint. It is worthy of note, however, that in white 

 colonies the coenenchyma is almost transparent ; and immersion in alcohol 

 results only in rendering the colony more opaque. When dried, the colonies 

 acquire a very dull opaque colour ; but the warm tones, which are so 

 characteristic of the group, may be restored on immersion in alcohol. 



The colour of a colony is of no taxonomic importance, as this may vary in 

 diflerent specimens of the same species. Two very good examples of this 

 are Scirpearia flagellum and Scirpcaria furcata. A few notes on these two 

 species may be of interest ; but it is worthy of note that, without some 

 definite and recognized colour-scheme, precise description of colour is 

 impossible. The following colours are, however, given by the diflerent 

 authors. The exact specimens will be better recognized if given under the 

 names by which they were originally described. 



Sdrpeana furcata (emend.). 



S. sp. ? Thomson and Henderson : " The general colour of the colony is 

 reddish orange; but the verrucae are distinctly red." 



S. furcata Hickson : " Orange red coenenchyma, with dark red dome- 

 shaped verrucae." 



S. furcata var. Hickson : " The colour is not so much a pure red, l.mt 

 tinged with orange." 



S. indica Hickson : " The colour varies in difi'erent specimens. In one 

 the coenenchyma is white ; but the tips of the verrucae are 

 red. In another the verrucae are white throughout ; but there 

 are streaks of pink along the coenenchyma, running irregidarly 

 and uniting at the base to give a general pale-red colour." 



S. sp. /3. Thomson and Hendei-son : " The general colour is pale salmon- 

 pink ; but the verrucae are white, and streaks of the same 

 colour permeate the coenenchyma." 



J. elongata Hickson : " The colour is pale pink, and the verrucae are 

 white." 



Mcrgui specimen : The colour is orange, but the anthocodiae are white. 



Type specimen {sens, emend.) : " The colony is of a pale yellow colour, with 

 red verrucae. Xear the base long streaks of red extend 

 longitudinally from the verrucae and interlock, giving a 

 peculiar tessellated pattern." 



