Simpson — ^1 Rvuisioa of the Gorcjonellidac. 



349 



(fig. 90?*) ; the two series approach so closely together as to appear as if 

 merged into one, covering the whole of the coeneuchyma, especially towards 

 the middle of the colony. The verrucae are low, broad, and mound-like ; 

 they are sometimes 2-5 mm. in diameter at the base. Towards tiie base 

 (fig. 90rt) they are almost level with the coenenchyma; while near the tip 

 they are often sunk into depressions in the coenenchyma (fig. 90c). The 

 opening is circular, sometimes elongated, and has eight lips around it, giving 

 a very definite pattern. 



The canal system is typical ; the two main canals are large. The axis is 

 brown at the base, but 3'ellow in the younger part ; it is composed of 

 concentric laminae, and is markedly calcareous. There are definite 

 longitudinal striae, especially in the older part. Fig. 91 shows the 

 predominant spicular types. 



Locality. — Off Malabar Coast, 36 fms. 



Amongst the Alcyonaria collected by the writer in the Mergui Archi- 

 pelago, Burma, there are six specimens which undoubtedly belong to this 

 species. Five of these are long and fiagelliform, and represent a series in 

 development ; they are very slender, and taper only slightly from base to 

 apex. The following measurements will serve to illustrate the most salient 

 features : — 





Total 



Diameter of 



Diameter 



Diameter 





Specimen. 



length of 



colony 



of colony 



of axis 



Colour. 





colony. 



at base. 



midway. 



at base. 





I. 



27 cm. 



l'7o mm. 



1'5 mm. 



1 mm. 



Creamy- white, 



but yellowish 

 towards base. 



II. 



42 cm. 



3 mm. 



2'0 mm. 



l'2o mm. 



Creamy-white 



III. 



61 cm. 



3"7o mm. 



3 mm. 



2 mm. 



Pale creamy - 

 white. 



IV. 



86 cm. 



2'75 mm. 



2'7S mm. 



2 mm. 



Creamy- white. 



V. 



117 cm. 



4-5 mm. 



3-2.5 mm. 



3 mm. 



Dull white. 



The coenenchyma is very thin, as may be seen from the above measure- 

 ments ; it is finely granular and very compact. 



The mode of distribution of the polyps is very pronounced. Two of the 

 specimens, (namely, I. and IV.) bear the disk of attachment, so that in these 

 the arrangement may be studied from the base. The lower portion, for a 

 considerable distance, is devoid of polyps ; in the polyp-bearing region of the 

 colony the verrucae are distinctly separated into two series by two longitu- 

 dinal bare spaces, whose position is sometimes indleutcd by depressions. 



