Simpson — .4 Revision of the Gorgonellidae. 105 



thickness of over 1 mm., biit about OS mm. near the base. Near the tip of 

 the main stem it has been rubbed off. 



The general colour of the colony is brick-red. 



On superficial examination the polyps appear to be distributed over the 

 whole of the coenenehyma : but a minute inspection reveals a disposition 

 in two longitudinal series sepai-ated by a sinuous line in the lower portion : 

 this is more marked in the upper half and in the branch where a distinct 

 depression is visible. No polyps occur on the basal 1'5 cm. 



The verrucae are large and dome-like ; they are about 2 mm. in diameter 

 and r25 mm. in height. There is a trace of an eight-rayed structure at the 

 ■summit (fig. 9.3). They vary very little in the different parts of the colony. 



Tlie canal system is t}'pical ; the two large main canals are very 

 distinct. 



The axis is cylindrical, very calcareous, and gives great rigidity to the 

 colony; it is composed of concentric laminae. The colour varies from brown 

 in the lower portion to pale yellow near the tip. The diameter near the 

 base is over 3 mm. ; it does not taper very markedly until it approaches the 

 tiji. The surface is marked by indistinct longitudinal striae. 



Tlie spicules (fig. 94) consist of double-clubs and elongated double- 

 spindles, which in some cases approached the spindle type. 



The following are the chief types, with measurements, length by breadth, 

 in millimetres : — 



(a) Double-clubs with a short constriction and with the warts somewhat 



regularly disposed : 0-08 x 0-04 ; 0-073 X 0-046 ; 007 X 0042. 

 (h) Smaller double-clubs with the warts nearest to the constriction 



arranged in a whorl : 0-06 X 0-034; 0-04.5 X 0025. 

 (c) Elongated double-spindles with irregular di.sposed warts: 01 X 0-035; 



0-095 X 0-03; 0-09 x 003; 008 x 0-025. 

 {d) Spindles (like type (c), but with no constriction): 0-09 X 0-025; 



0-08 X 0-02. 



Types (c) and {d) are more abundant in the verrucae. Very characteristic 

 is the occurrence of a large number of conically shaped elongated double- 

 clubs and spindles. 



Locality. — Andamans. 



Another very characteristic, complete, simple colony, 17 cm. in length, 

 occurs in the Mergui Collection. Externally it recalls the projecting- 

 verrucae type of Jvncdln jv.ncm ; but the nature of the spiculation prechulcs 

 this possibility. The disk of attachment is present. The diameter at the 

 base, without verrucae, is 2 mm.; it increases in thickness very markedly. 



P 



