Simpson — A Revision of the Gorgonellidae. 335 



very flexible and filiform near tlie tip. It is uiarkcd Ity a number of 

 grooves which iini up for a short distance, and also by a number of small 

 protuberances. 



The stem is oval in section, v^ith a groove on the two flattened surfaces 

 faintly marked in two of the specimens. 



The verrucae occur in a single row on each side of the stem, those of one 

 row alternating with those of the other. They are low and truncated 

 (0'45 mm. in height), laterally compressed, with spreading basis (fig. 04). 



The diameter is 1'4 mm. at the base and 0'65 mm. at the apex. 



The coenenchyma is moderately thick. 



The spicules of this species (fig. 65) are extremely characteristic. They 

 consist essentially of double-clubs, which are almost as broad as long, and 

 have a very short but extremely thick median constriction. 



Their ends are almost hemispherical, and are covered with abundant 

 rugose warts. There are also a few elongated narrow double-clubs, with 

 more openly-warted heads, and with a longer constriction. Some of these 

 approximate to spindles. Small, apparently developmental, forms and a 

 few crosses also occur.' 



The following are typical measurements of the chief types, length by 

 breadth, in mm. : — 



(a) Short thick double- clubs : 0-15 X 0-17; 0-15 X 0-095; 0-13 x 0-11; 



0-13 X 0-095. 

 (6) Slender double-clubs : 0-15 x 0-02 ; 0-13 x 008 ; 0-09 x 0-03. 

 (c) Irregular or developmental forms : 0-057 X 0-02. 



Locality. — Bay of Bengal, 88 fathoms. 



Specific Diagnosis. 



Colony simple or slightly branched, long and filiform; axis cylindrical, 

 calcareous, and grooved; coenenchyma moderately thick; vernicae in a- 

 single row on each side of the stem ; spicules consist essentially of short, 

 thick double-clubs almost as long as bioad and with a very narrow con- 

 striction ; the ends are almost hemispherical, and are covered with densely 

 rugose warts. 



' The large spindles described from the type specimen of the species are undoubtedly extrinsic. 



p. I. A. PHOC, Vol.. XXVIII., SKIT. K, [2 1'] 



