Simpson — A Revision of the Gorgonellidae. 89 



very flexible and filiform near the tip. It is lufirked l>y a iiuiiiber of 

 grooves which iiiii up for a sliort distance, and also l)y a nvnidjor of small 

 protuberances. 



The stem is oval in section, with a groove on the two flattened surfaces 

 faintly marked in two of the specimens. 



The verrucae occur in a single roiu on each side of the stem, those of one 

 row alternating with those of the other. They are low and truncated 

 (0'45 mm. in height), laterally compressed, with spreading basis (fig. 64). 



The diameter is r4 mm. at the base and 0'65 mm. at the apex. 



The coenenchyma is moderately thick. 



The spicules of this species (fig. 65) are extremely cliaracteristic. They 

 consist essentially of double-clubs, which are almost as l)road as long, and 

 have a very short but extremely thick median constriction. 



Their ends are almost hemispherical, and are covered with abundant 

 rugose warts. There are also a few elongated narrow double-clubs, witli 

 more openly-warted heads, and with a longer constricti<m. Some of these 

 approximate to spindles. Small, apparently developmental, forms and a 

 few crosses also occur.' 



The following are typical measurements of the chief types, length by 

 breadth, in mm. : — 



(«) Short thick double-clubs: Olo X Ol" ; 0-15 X 0-095; 013 X O'll; 

 0-13 X 0-095. 



(b) Slender double-clubs : 0-15 X 0-02; 0-13 X 008; 0-09 x 0-08. 



(c) Irregular or developmental forms: O'Oo? X 0-02. 



Locality. — Bay of Bengal, 88 fathoms. 



Specific Diagnosis. 



Colony simple or slightly branched, long and filiform ; axis cylindrical, 

 calcareous, and grooved ; coenenchyma moderately thick ; verrucae in a 

 single row on each side of the stem ; spicules consist essentially of sliort, 

 thick double-clubs almost as long as broad and with a very narrow con- 

 striction ; the ends are almost hemispherical, and are covered with densely 

 nigose warts. 



' The Urge spindles described from the type specimen of the specioa «re undoubtedly cxlniisic. 



N 



