Simpson — A Revision of the Gorgonellidae, 3-11 



The colour varies in the ditt'erent specimens. In one the coenenchyma 

 is white, but the tips of the verrucas are red. In another the verrucae are 

 white tliroughout ; iDut there are streaks of pink along the coenenchyma 

 running irregularly and uniting at the base to give the coenenchyma a general 

 pale red colour. Other specimens are entirely white. 



Locality. — S. Nilandu (Maldives), west passage of Atoll, 30 fathoms. 



Scirpcardla sp. B. Thomson and Henderson. 



A somewhat damaged colony, which has unfortunately been broken in 

 five pieces. The base is complete, but a short piece at the tip has been lost. 

 The total height is 28 cm. ; the diameter near the base is 3"5 mm. ; but 

 near the present tip it is 1"5 mm. At a distance of 20 cm. from the base 

 there is a distinct angular bend ; it is difficult to say whether this is the 

 origin of a branch or a growth consequent on fracture. 



The coenenchyma is e.xtremely thin and finely arenaceous. The general 

 colour is pale-pink or salmon-pink ; but the verrucae are white, and streaks 

 of the same colour permeate the coenenchyma. 



The polyps are apparently distributed all over the colony; but close 

 examination reveals two indistinct, sinuous longitudinal bare tracts. The 

 verrucae are low domes, and scarcely project beyond the coenenchyma (fig. 70). 



Owing to the extreme thinness of the coenenchyma, the canal system is 

 very ill-defined. 



The axis is very calcareous, hard, and, in the younger parts, brittle. 

 It is composed of very thick concentric laminae ; the surface is faintly and 

 irregularly marked by grooves. 



Locality. — Ceylon Seas. 



As was the case with the two species already discussed, the two now 

 described are identical on superficial examination. Let us now proceed to 

 investigate in what respects the two groups differ. 



/iwmto-group. indica-gxow^. 



The verrucae are separated into The verrucae are separated into 



two longitudinal series by two very two longitudinal series by indistinct 



distinct bare tracts. bare tracts which may even disappear 



near the base. 



There are two or three longitudinal xhe verrucae appear as if distri- 



rows in each series. baited in five to seven slightly spiral 



The verrucae are low and dome- 

 like. 



rows. 



The verrucae may be (1) long and 

 pointed, (2) projecting ledges, (3) low 

 and dome-like, (4), almost level with 

 the coenenchyma. 



