120 Proceedings of the Roi/al Iris// Acculemj/. 



The polyps occur in a siunous row on each side of the younger branches ; 

 on the stem and on the older portions of the branches they are more numerous, 

 and encroach on the two bare, flattened surfaces, always leaving a slight 

 median depression free. Those on opposite sides alternate. The verrucas 

 may be slightly prominent or may appear as low conical warts. When 

 partially retracted, they show an eight-rayed figure ; but when fully withdrawn, 

 this is not evident. An average height may be taken as 1 mm. 



The coenenchyma is of medium thickness, and may have ridges on the 

 surface. The canal system is the typical Juncellid. 



The si)icules are essentially of two types, viz., small double-clubs and 

 long thick double-spindles. The double .spindles are about four times as 

 long as the small double-clubs. There are, however, in addition to these 

 two types : — (1 ) some small double-wheels, with elongated warty hubs ; 

 (2) elongated double-clubs ; (3) long slender spindles with practically no 

 constriction. Very small short rods and spiny spindles occur in the tentacles. 



The colour of the Funafuti specimen was yellowish-white : that of the 

 Indian Museum specimen was ochreous yellow and brownish-white. 



XXXIV. — Nioella reticulata Thomson and Simpson. Fig. 116. 

 Nicdla reticulata Thomson and Simpson, xli., p. 266, Plate iv., fig. 5 ; 

 Plate VIII., fig. 12. 



This species was established Ijy Thomson and Simpson (xli., p. 266) for 

 specimens in the Indian Museum Littoral Collection. We have considered 

 it advisable, liowever, to recapitulate the original description for the sake of 

 completeness. A typical colony measures 27 cm. in height by 16 cm. in 

 maximum breadth, and is attached by a very much broadened expansion. It 

 consists of a main stem, only 2 cm. long, and measuring 4'5 mm. in diameter. 

 At the distal end of the main stem four branches arise, two suli-opposite and 

 two at slightly different levels, but all very close together. These divei'ge 

 at varying angles, the two lower being almost horizontal, the other two also 

 in the same plane of ramification. These ramify irregularly in one plane 

 and anastomose freely, forming a large, almost semicircular, flabelliform 

 mass, with very irregular meshes. 



The coenenchyma is tliin and compact, and presents a glistening 

 arenaceous appearance. The colouring is very peculiar, being generally 

 reddish-brown in the lower part of the colony, but gradually merging into 

 slaty grey in the upper parts. Patches of grey appear throughout the red in 

 some of the colonies, and vice versa ; while one colony from the Laccadives is 

 almost uniformly of a brick-red colour. The surface bears longitudinal 



