Simpson —--I Reels ion of the GoryoiieUidae. -^55 



of the furrows, larger aud deeper Lliaii the utliers, correspond in position to 

 the two large main canals. 



The spicules consist essentially of double-clubs ; but these may be 

 elongated and narrow, and with so short a constriction as to ajipcar like 

 warty spindles. The warts are large and close-set. The spicules arc either pale 

 yellow or colourless. In the coenenchyma there are only double-clubs, with 

 warty, hemispherical heads, and a short constriction. The following measure- 

 ments, in millimetres, are typical : — 



0'07 X 0-05 ; 0-07 x 0-045. 

 0-05 X 0-03 ; 0-04 x 0-02.5. 



The spicules of the polyps are, on the whole, longer and narrower than 

 those of the coenenchyma. They are 



(1) Double-clubs, with warty, slightly elongated heads, and with a short 



constriction: 0-09 X 0-02; 0-08 X 0-02; 0-06 X 0-025. 



(2) Thicker double-clubs, more like those of the coenenchyma : 



0-08 X 0-035. 



(3) Warty spindles (occasionally a constriction is discernible) : 



0-07 X 0-02. 

 Locality, — Andamaus, 20 fms. 



Specific Diagnosis. 



Colony branched in one plane; most of the branches arise almost 

 perpendicularly, but soon turn upwards ; they are flattened in the plane of 

 ramitication, vary very little in thickness throughout their entire length, and 

 terminate bluntly. The polyps are distributed for the most part on the 

 non-liattened aspects of the branches, and stand perpendicularly ; the 

 verrucae, when retracted, have the form of low, truncated cones, aud may 

 even appear almost level with the coenenchyma. The oral opening is closed 

 by the inturned tentacles, which thus form a pseudo-operculum. The 

 spicules consist essentially of (1) broad double-clubs, with a short 

 constriction aud almost hemispherical ends ; (2) elongated, broad double- 

 clubs, with very rounded ends, and with the same character as the previous 

 type ; aud (3) longer and narrower double-clubs, which may approximate 

 double-spindles, and eventually spindles. 



XXVIII. Scirpearia ceyloneusis n. sp. Figs. 105-107. 



Among the Alcyonaria collected by Professor Herdman in Ceylon is a 

 beautiful branched specimen which was not described in the general report. 

 It has been found necessary to establish a new species to include it. 



