ALCYONARIA. 297 



Acamptogorgia spinosa, but even then the relation of length to breadth is almost the 

 same. The specimens agree with Acamptogorgia spinosa in axis, colour, and thick- 

 ness, and in the chambered central core. For description, see Hiles (1899). 

 Locality : Deep water off Galle. 



Acamptogorgia spinosa, var. ceylonensis, n. Plate I., tig. 1. 



This variety is represented by one complete colony and a colony in which the base 

 is wanting. The complete colony has the following measurements : Maximum 

 height 114 millims. and maximum breadth 176 millims., while the incomplete one 

 measures 154 millims. in maximum height and 142 millims. in maximum width. The 

 colony is fan-shaped, caused by the profuse branching which is strictly confined to 

 one plane. Anastomosis of the branches is, however, common. 



The stem is dark in colour near the base, but gradually becomes lighter in the 

 younger parts of the stem and branches. The axis in the stem and principal 

 branches is oval in shape, the longest diameter being perpendicular to the plane of 

 branching, but it gradually becomes more cylindrical in shape in the younger 

 branches and in the younger part of the stem. 



The ccenenchyma is thin and allows the axis to shine through ; it presents a very 

 rough appearance under the lens. 



The verrucas are arranged on three sides of the axis, they have a series of spines 

 projecting round the mouth, and have a maximum height of 0'8 millim. and a 

 maximum diameter of 0*6 millim. 



A few expanded polyps were found at the end of a branch, but almost all were 

 withdrawn within the verrucre and showed a tentacular operculum, conical in shape, 

 formed by the spindle-shaped spicules which lie on the aboral surface of the 

 tentacles. 



The spicules are (1) triradiate, with large irregular processes in the angles which 

 often fuse, thus leaving plate-like portions with perforations; (2) a modified form of 

 the triradiate with a long arm, which gradually thickens and then gives off two 

 smaller arms from the thicker end ; and (3) spindles and club-shaped half-spindles, 

 curved or straight, either with very rough projections or fairly smooth. 



Locality : Deep water off Galle. 



Acis indica, n. sp. Plate II., fig. 3 ; Plate V., fig. 7. 



The colony is large and fan-shaped, rising to a height of 149 millims. and having a 

 maximum width of 167 millims. From a conical base, which has a fiat spreading 

 margin and is attached to a mass of worm-tubes, the short main stem arises. At a 

 distance of 14 millims. from its origin, where it has a diameter of 3 '5 millims., it 

 divides into two principal branches. The branching is for the most part confined to 

 one plane, but several of the smaller branches and twigs arise at right angles to the 



2 Q 



