ASCIDIA RUB1CUNDA. 85 



fig. 4) varies a little; it is occasionally transversely 

 wide, and sometimes wider in the opposite direction ; 

 the extremities are not much or regularly convoluted ; 

 they usually bend inwards ; but not infrequently the 

 ends turn, the one inwards, the other outwards. The 

 tentacular filaments are short and slender ; they vary 

 much in size, some being quite minute, and number 

 from thirty to forty. 



The ovary is much lobulated, being most developed 

 at the left side ; occasionally it is not perceptible at 

 the right side. The male cajca are found at both sides 

 of the alimentary tube ; they are rather conspicuous, 

 usually bifid, cylindrical, with the distal extremities 

 obtuse. The cells coating the alimentary tube are 

 minute and do not form so thick a coat as usual. 



Ascidia rubicunda is related to A. meniida on the one 

 hand, and to A. robust a on the other, but is dis- 

 tinguished from both by many characters. It is always 

 more extensively attached, and is more elongated and 

 depressed than the former, from which it also differs in 

 colour. From A. robusta it is likewise distinguished 

 by its great brilliancy of colour as well as by its general 

 form, its shorter tubes, and the less robust character of 

 the test. Many other minor points distinguish it from 

 both. 



5. Ascidia rubrotincta Hancock. 

 (PI. XVII, fig. 3 ; PI. XIX, fig. 2 ; and fig. 1(3 in text.) 



[Ascidia rnbro-tincta HANCOCK in Ann. Nat. Hist. (4) VI 

 (1870), p. 356.] 



Bod 11 pretty regularly oval, smooth, or only very 

 slightly wrinkled, of a pale-reddish flesh-colour, adher- 

 ing by the middle portion of the side. Apertures dis- 

 tant, with the tubes not much produced ; the branchial 

 one terminal, the anal more than half Avay down the 

 side ; ocelli red. Test rather thin, cartilaginous, pellu- 

 cid, of a reddish flesh-colour, smooth or slightly 



