Simpson — A Revision nf the, Gorgonellidae. 351 



thickness of over 1 mm., but about 0-5 mm. near the base. Near the tip of 

 the main stem it has been rubbed oH'. 



The general colour of the colony is brick-red. 



On superficial examination the polyps appear to be distributed over the 

 whole of the coenenchyma : but a minute inspection reveals a disposition 

 in two longitudinal series separated by a sinuous line in the lower portion : 

 this is more marked in the upper half and in tlie branch where a distinct 

 depression is visible. No polyps occur on the basal 1"5 cm. 



The verrucae are large and dome-like ; they are about 2 mm. in diameter 

 and 1-25 mm. in height. There is a trace of an eight-rayed structure at the 

 summit (fig. 93). They vary very little in the different parts of the colony. 



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

 distinct. 



The axis is cylindrical, very calcareous, and gives great rigidity to the 

 colony ; it is composed of concentric laminae. The colour varies from brown 

 in the lower portion to pale yellow near the tip. The diameter near the 

 base is over 3 mm. ; it does not taper very markedly untU it approaches the 

 tip. The surface is marked by indistinct longitudinal striae. 



The spicules (fig. 9-4) consist of double-clubs and elongated double- 

 spindles, which in some cases approached the spindle type. 



The following are the chief types, with measurements, length by breadth, 

 in millimetres : — 



(rt) Double-clubs with a short constriction and with the warts somewhat 



regularly disposed : 0-08 x 0-04; O'OTo x 0-046; GOT x 0042. 

 (h) Smaller double-clubs with the warts nearest to the constriction 



arranged in a whorl: 0-06 x 0-034; 0-04.5 x 0-025. 

 (c) Elongated double-spindles with irregular disposed warts: 0-1 x 0-035; 



0-095 X 0-03; 0-09 x 0-03; 0-08 x 0-025. 

 (cl) Spindles (like type (c), but with no constriction): 0'09 x 0-025; 



0-08 X 0-02. 



Types (c) and {d) are more abundant in the verrucae. Very characteristic 

 is the occurrence of a large number of conieally shaped elongated double- 

 clubs and spindles. 

 Locality. — Andamans, 

 Another very characteristic, complete, simple colony, 17 cm. in length, 

 occurs in the Mergui Collection. Externally it recalls the projecting- 

 verrucae type of Jwicella juncea ; but the nature of the spiculation precludes 

 this possibility. The disk of attachment is present. The diameter at the 

 base, without verrucae, is 2 mm. ; it increases in thickness very markedly. 

 B.i.A. I'UJC, VOL. .'C.Kvr-i , S-: '7. :). i_'A .Ij 



