318 FUNAFUTI ATOLL. 



The polyps are generally about T5 mm. apart, mostly flush 

 with the surface, except on the younger parts of the colony, where 

 they are often somewhat prominent; their apertures when perfect 

 are covered by eight rays composed of groups of rod-like or sub- 

 fusiform spicules, having a few low tubercles and sharply pointed 

 apices. Size ! to '15 by '02 mm. 



The ccenenchyma on the main stem is from ! to 1-5 mm. in 

 thickness, and 2 mm. on the terminal twigs ; in the dried condi- 

 tion it is of a light stone colour. 



The axis is black and spirally grooved, the stouter branches are 

 flattened in the plane of branching. 



The cortex is covered externally by a dense layer of tuberculated 

 clubs, and a few subspherical tuberculated granules ; the head of 

 the club is directed outwards ; when viewed end on from above 

 they present a whorl of three compound tubercles ; the shaft has 

 also one or two zones of small, smooth or spiny tubercles. Size 

 08 by -04, -1 by -05 mm. 



The coanenchyma spicules are chiefly straight fusiform spindles, 

 frequently branched and cross-like. The spindles have from 4 to 

 8 whorls of tubercles, the two central whorls are composed of 

 large warty tubercles, the remaining whorls gradually diminish in 

 size as they approach the very acute ends of the spicule. Size 

 15 by -05, -2 by -05, -23 by -06 mm. 



There are also a few comparatively smooth fusiforms, with two 

 or more distinct whorls of low simple tubercles. Size '1 to '15 

 by -03 mm. 



In the terminal twigs there exist large cylindrical or subclavate 

 spicules, having blunt apices beset with numerous compressed 

 spines; the rest of the surface varies greatly, being either smooth, 

 spiny, or distantly tuberculate, the lower ends are abruptly pointed. 

 Size -5 by -07, -6 by -08, -7 by -1 mm. 



On seeing these spicules I at first thought they did not belong 

 to the colony, but I afterwards made about six different prepara- 

 tions of the spicules, by nipping off the smaller twigs and boiling 

 in potash, taking due precautions to exclude any foreign spicules; 

 these larger spicules were found in every instance in greater or 

 less abundance. 



FAMILY GORGONELLID^E. 



NlCELLA LAXA, Sp. nOV. 



(Plate xvii., figs. 30-33.) 



The colony is feebly branched, the branching lateral and in 

 one plane. The short basal stem is 2 mm. in diameter, and at a 

 height of 15- mm. divides into two branches, one of which is 



