Simpson — A Revision of the Oorgonellidae. 96 



The colour varies in the different specimens. In one the coenencliyma 

 is white, but the tips of the verrucae are re(h In another tlie vernicae are 

 white tliroughout ; hut tliere are streaks of pink along the coenenchynia 

 running irregularly and uniting at the base to give the coenenchynia a general 

 pale red colour. Other specimens are entii'ely white. 



Locality. — S. Nilandu (Maldives), west passage of Atoll, :10 fathoms. 



ScirpmrcUa sp. B. Thomson and Henderson. 



A somewhat damaged colony, which has unfortunately been broken in 

 five pieces. The base is complete, but a short piece at the tip has been lost. 

 'J'he total height is 28 cm.; the diameter near the base is 3'5 nun. ; but 

 near the present tip it is 1'5 mm. At a distance of 20 cm. from the base 

 there is a distinct angular bend ; it is diiRcult to say whether this is the 

 origin of a branch or a growth consequent on fracture. 



The coenenchynia is e.xtremely tfiin and finely arenaceous. The general 

 colour is pale-pink or salmon-pink ; but the verrucae are white, and streaks 

 of the same colour permeate the coenenchynia. 



The polyps are apparently distributed all over the colony; l>ut close 

 examination reveals two indistinct, sinuous longitudinal bare tracts. The 

 verrucae are low domes, and scarcely project beyond the coenenchynia (fig. 70). 



Owing to the extreme thinness of the coonenchyma, the canal system is 

 very ill-defined. 



The axis is very calcareous, hard, and, in the younger parts, brittle. 

 It is composed of very thick concentric lainiiiac : the surface is faintly and 

 irregularly marked by grooves. 



Locality. — Ceylon Seas. 



As was the case with the two species already discussed, the two now 

 described are identical on superficial e.\aininatioii. Let us now proceed to 

 investigate in what respects tiie two groups dilfer. 



/«)•(•«<« -group. indim-gTow^. 



Tlic verrucae are separated into The verrucae are separated intn 



two longitudinal series by two very two longitudinal series by indistinct 



distinct bare tracts. bare tracts which m.ay even disapjiear 



near the base. 



There are two or three longitudinal pije verrucae appear as if distri- 



rows in each .series. buted in five to seven slightly spiral 



rows. 



like. 



The verrucae are low and dome- ^,^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^, ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^,^j 



pointed, (2) projecting lodges, (3) low 

 and dome-like, (4), almost level with 

 the coenenchynia. 



