OF THE MERGTI ARCHIPELAGO. 



229 



outline as seen from outside, and of very various size, up to half 

 an inch in diameter, which may either form a continuous surface 

 to the head, or may be set at w ide intervals (especially in young 

 specimens). Zooids crowded at about the same level on surface 

 of lobules ; diameter in closed state "35 to '5 millim. " Projecting 

 spicules " just visible, viz. rising about *6 millim. beyond level of 

 exterior zooids, but scarcely beyond general surface of the head ; 

 single, any accompanying ones not rising above general surface 

 of the lobule. .Fleshy axis under lobules smooth ; stem longi- 

 tudinally wrinkled (? from action of the spirit). Colour of 

 stalk and axis of bead in spirit usually white, of surface of head 

 rosy pink, the zooids being white and their supporting spicules 

 crimson. 



Spicules (the measurements include tubercles): — (1) "Pro- 

 jecting spicule " of external zooids of lobule fusiform, slightly 

 flexuous, normally sharply pointed exteriorly, but ofren blunted, 

 more or less blunted at inner extremity, thickly covered with 

 low sharp or almost sharp tubercles, erect or almost erect, 

 size about 1*4 to 1*8 by \12 millim. Median portion deep 

 crimson, inner end usually colourless, tip of outer end often verv 

 pale. la. Shorter spicule of exterior zooids accompanying the 

 projecting spicules ; similar, but generally rather blunted at both 

 ends, tubercles few er than in(l), and th >se at inner end abundant, 

 prominent, and directed towards that end ; very variable in size ; 

 colour much as (1); about five or six to each projecting spicule. 

 (2) Cortical spicules of axis below zooids, except in colour much 

 as la, which apparently represent the uppermost members of 

 the cortical spicules ; flexuous, rather blunted fusiform, with 

 slender, smooth, blunted tubercles, not crowded in middle, but 

 crowded and prominent at both ends of spicules ; size about 

 2*1 to 2*5 by *1 to '14 and (occasionally) *21 millim ; colourless 

 (occasionally with faint pink tinge near end of lobule); mainly 

 longitudinally directed on lobule or the chief and subjacent divi- 

 sions of axis. (3) Spicules of stem. Arenaceous-looking in the 

 mass, sufficiently far apart to show their form. Typically giobular 

 stellate to slightly elongated, limaciform (slug-like), thickly 

 covered with prominent conical, almost sharp tubercles ; shorter 

 diameter about "12 millim. ; colourless. 

 Hab. King Island Bay. 



Ten specimens in spirit, of various ages, ranging from about 

 1| inch in height upwards. The rootlets are narrow and very 



