86 Proceed in [I s of the Royal Irish Academy. 



very undulating appearance (fig. 52). Their bases meet in the middle line. 

 The tips of the verrueae have a very definite eight-rayed structure. Fig. 53 

 was made from a longitudinal section through the colony to show the 

 attachment of the strong retractor muscles of the anthocodiae. 



The canal-system is typical, but the inner portion of the coeuenchyma, 

 that is to say, the portion between the two longitudinal series of canals, is 

 very minute. 



The axis is pale yellow in colour, and very flexible ; the surface is marked 

 by indistinct longitudinal striae. The spicules (fig. 54) of this specimen are 

 typical of the species, but are on the whole larger and broader. 



Locality. — Buffalo Eiver, East London, N., 15 miles, 310 fathoms. Bottom, 

 coral and mud. 



In tlie Cape Collection there are also a number of small young colonies, 

 which are extremely interesting, and which are undoubtedly young forms of 

 this species. The longest of these is 7'5 mm. and the smallest 3'5 cm. in 

 length. They have all the same general appearance, and maintain the 

 relative proportions throughout, so that a short description of one colony will 

 give the essential characters (fig. 55). All are attached to pieces of rock, 

 coral, or shell. 



The stem is about 1 mm. in diameter near the base, and only very slightly 

 less at the tip. The coenenchyma is very thin, and finely granular ; the 

 general colour of the colonies is a bright orange-yellow. 



The polyps are disposed in two longitudinal series ; and although the two 

 median bare tracts are not well pronounced, the colony has a markedly 

 bilateral appearance. They occur in a single row in each series ; but the 

 interposition of young forms sometimes masks this distribution. They stand 

 sub-opposite or sometimes alternately ; but the young polyps tend to break 

 this otherwise regular structure (fig. 56). 



The verrueae are elongated and cylindrical ; they are turned towards 

 the stem, and are directed upwards ; their surface is marked by longitudinal 

 ridges and depressions ; the apex when partially closed has a distinct eight- 

 rayed structure ; in many cases the infolded tentacles may be seen projecting 

 around the oval opening. 



The canal system is well developed ; the canals are distinct but few in 

 number ; the two main canals are large. The axis is cyUndrieal, hard, and 

 very calcareous; the surface is marked by very indistinct longitudinal 

 striae. 



The spicules (fig. 57) are characterized by the small number and large 

 size of the almost smooth warts and by the very marked constriction in the 



