Simpson — A llevision of the (Jor(/oucUidue. 293 



Spicidea uf J. jaiwca. 



The characteristic spicule is the simple-chib, which has been described 

 already. A few typical variations are also shown in fig. 14. These are also 

 double-stellate forms and double wheels or capstans. The following arc 

 some of the measurements, length by breadth, in niillimetres : — 



(1) Cluhs.—0-ll X 0'04; 0-1 x 0-035; 0-09 x 0-034; 0-085 x 0-032; 



0-08 X 0-03; 0-08 x 0-02. 



(2) Bonhk Stors.— 0-01 x 0-05; 0-09 x 0-045; 0-08 x 0-04; 0-08 x 0-03. 



Distribution of J. juncea. 



(1) Australia. — Port Denison, Queensland, 4 fathoms (as J.fmcm and 

 J. fragilis) ; Dirk Hartog, W. Australia, 45 fathoms ; Mermaid Straits, X.W. 

 Australia, 50 fathoms; Torres Straits, 7-11 fathoms. 



(2) Oft' Sombrero Island, West Indies (as J. harhadensis). 



(3) King Island Bay and elsewhere (Mergui). 



(4) Ceylon Seas (as J. Jmicea), Gulf of Manaar (as J. fragilis), 



(5) Bourbon, and between Flat Island and Mauritius (as J. flexUis). 

 (6j Ternate (as J. flcxilis). 



(7) Maldives (as J. flexilis) . 



(8) Off Table Island, Cocos Group, Andamans, 15-35 fathoms. 



Specific Diagnosis of J. jmicea. 



Colony simple or sub-simple, elongate, sometimes filiform, sometimes very 

 thick : the coenenchyma varies greatly in thickness in the difterent specimens, 

 but is constant in each ; this aft'ects the external appearance of the colony. 

 The canal system is of the typical Gorgouellid structure, and there are tico 

 main longitudinal canals. These may or may not produce an external 

 impression ; in colonies with a thin coenenchyma their position is denoted 

 externally by two longitudinal bare tracts ; but in those with a very thick 

 coenenchyma, no trace of this is to be seen. The polyps are distributed 

 diflerently in these two types ; in the former they are disposed in two 

 longitudinal series, in which there is a varying number of rows, whicli 

 diminish from the base upwards ; in the latter they are crowded all over the 

 coenenchyma. The verrucae vary greatly in shape in the difterent parts of 

 the colony ; near the base they are low and dome-like, or may even be 

 depressed beneath the surface of the coenenchyma ; they gradually increase 

 in size until near the top they are usually aub-conical, dii-ected upwards, and 

 adpressed to the coenencliyma. The axis is hard and flexible ; it is composed 



