ALCYONIID^. 25 



The Siphonozooids are arranged with great regularity in the spaces between the 

 autozooids, and are consequently most numerous where autozooids are fewest. 

 Whitblegge describes the siphonozooids as being numerous and distinct, and states 

 that there may be as many as 12 siphonozooids between two autozooids. On the 

 side of one of the lobes 43 siphonozooids were counted in a straight line between 

 two autozooids, but the distance between the autozooids is not so great on the 

 summits of the lobes, where they are seldom more than 3 siphonozooids apart. 



The siphonozooids are extremely well marked in this species, their average surface 

 diameter of 0"27 millim. is slightly less than in the species L. pauciflorum and 

 L. crassum, but their length is greater than in those species. The average length ol 

 the stomodamm is 0'23 millim. 



The canal system does not differ in any essential respect from that of other 

 species ; transverse ciliated vessels are very numerous, especially near the surface. 



Spicules. The spicules of this species have been described and figured by White- 

 legge (1897, p. 217). Those of the cortex are tiny spindles or clubs from 042 millim. 

 to 0'15 millim. in length, and from 0"02 millim. to 0'05 millim. in breadth. The 

 more deeply seated spicules are tuberculate spindles, and short, stout, sub-cylindrical 

 spicules. These are from 0"15 millim. to 0'3 millim. in length, and from - 03 millim. 

 to 0"19 millim. in breadth. 



Lobophytuin pauciflorum, Ehrenberg (1834). 



One fairly large fragment and two young mushroom-shaped colonies were taken 

 from the Gulf of Manaar. 



One of the latter was 10 millims. high, with a capitulum 12 millims. by 10 millims. 

 in diameter, and the other was 12 millims. high, with a capitulum 12 millims. by 

 10 "5 millims. in diameter. 



This species (see Marenzeller, 1886, and Pratt, 1903) appears to be very widely 

 distributed and has been taken from the Eed Sea, New Zealand, Andaman Islands, 

 Tonga, Moluccas, Funafuti, New Britain and the Maldive Islands. 



Sclerophytum herdmani, n. sp. Plate II., figs. 8 and 9. 



One complete and several fragmentary specimens were taken from the reef at 

 Galle, and two specimens from the Pearl Banks off Aripu. 



The complete specimen from Galle has a much lobed capitulum, the lobes are similar 

 in size, and are regularly arranged on the capitular surface (fig. 8). The colony is 

 85 millims. high and the capitulum measures 135 millims. by 140 millims. across its 

 surface. The stalk is 70 millims. high and 120 millims. broad. The capitulum has 

 no marginal seam, but passes almost imperceptibly into the stalk. On the wrinkled 

 stalk, some little distance below the capitulum, are three small tubercles which bear 

 zooids on their upper surface (fig. 8, tu). This appears to be the only recorded instance 

 of the occurrence of zooid apertures on the stalk. The colour in spirit is pale drab, 



