ALCYONARIA. 



275 



original definition. Gray's description oi'Bellonella granulatum (' Proc. Zool. Soc.,' 

 1862, p. 35) is unfortunately short and vague. He speaks of the "angular tips" of 

 the calyces ; he figures longitudinal furrows on the stem, and these features are 

 here absent. It seems better, therefore, to start afresh with a new species. 

 Locality : Deep water south of Galle. 



Family : NEPHTHYID^E. 



Sub-family : SP0NG0DI1SLE. 



Nephthya chabrolii, Aud., var. ceylonensis, n. 



To this species, known to include several varieties (Kukenthal, 1903, p. 157), we 

 refer a specimen which differs from ordinary forms of N. chabrolii in being dull 

 greyish-white, and in having a " Stiitzbundel" spicule projecting beyond the polyp for 

 0*5 milliin. The following comparison with Kukenthal's description of N. chabrolii 

 may serve to illustrate dimensional variability. 



For description, see Holm (1895). 



Locality: Pearl banks, Gulf of Manaar, March, 1902, and Donnan's Paar. 



Nephthya lobulifera, Holm. 



From an elongated base attached to an oyster shell there rise 7 main branches 

 apparently flaccid in character, bearing numerous lobes of unequal size and variable 

 arrangement. On these the polyps occur in groups often united by a few individuals 

 scattered in the intervening spaces. The polyps are light yellow and stand out 

 prominently against the general white colour of the colony. They measure 0"7 millim. 

 to l - 3 millims. in length. The " Stiitzbundel " spicules are strong, slightly curved, 

 warty spindles up to 1"9 millims. in length; the three longest project beyond the 

 polyp. The polyp spicules measure 0"06 millim. to 0'25 millim., and the stem spicules 

 1*1 millims. to T95 millims. in length. For description, see Holm (1895). 



Locality : lj miles off Old Dutch Modragam Paar, Gulf of Manaar. 



Nephthya ceylonensis, n. sp. Plate I., fig. 4. 



A small rigid colony fixed to a stone rises to a height of 38 millims., giving off 



2 N 2 



