Simpson — A Revision of the Gorgonellidac. 



51 



another. The large specimen is from tiie Mergui Archipelago antl tlie 

 smaller is from the Andamans. 



The former is 40D mm. in height; tlie latter i.s 2^0 mm. in height: the 

 longest twig in the former is 220 mm., that in the latter 70 mm. The 

 greatest distance between branchings in the former is 120 mm.; in the latter 

 it is only 27'o mm. So far, then, the measurements are proportionate; but 

 when we take into consideration the corresponding diameters in the various 

 parts, the ditterence is at once very marked. In the smaller colony the total 

 diameter of the several branches and twigs is greater tlian in the larger ; so 

 that, at first, it is difficult to conceive that the dwarf colony coiUd develop 

 into a colony similar to the larger. 



Table B. 



Table B gives several measurements from three colonies of diHereiit 

 sizes. One large Irrancli has been selected and followed to the lip of llu- 

 colony. The various lengths represent the consecutive di-slunces at whicii 

 blanches arise from it. The first feature wliieh may bo seen from this Table 

 is tlie fact that the distances at which tlie ditlerent branches arise do not 

 increase proportionately from the base upwards. (2) Such increase as 

 exists is more maiked in tlie taller specimens. (8) In the very dwarf 

 colony, the distances actually diminish in the u]ipor hall'. 



Let us now critically examine the meusureiueuts given in the same Table 



H 2 



