ALCYONARIA. 307 



The specimens agree with the description of Lophogorgia lutkeni in most respects, 

 e.g., the branching, the flattening, the absence of verruca 1 , the disposition of the 

 polyps and nutrient canals. On the other hand, there are some peculiarities : 

 (1) there is a distinct groove and not a wavy line; (2) the spicules of the general 

 ccenenchyma are smaller in the Ceylon specimens ; and (3) the pore-like openings left 

 by the retracted polyps form star-like figures, not slits. 



These differences do not seem important enough to warrant us in separating it from 

 L. lutkeni. 



To this species two other fragments belong. The larger measures 168 milium in 

 height and has a diameter of 5 millims. at the lower end of the main stalk. These 

 two specimens differ from those described above in having no projections of the 

 ccenenchyma at the point of issue of the polyps. The openings left by the polyps 

 when withdrawn are more like slits than in the former specimens. The specimens 

 are also more brick-red in colour. In every other respect they agree with the 

 specimens above described. As the two sets of specimens come from the same locality 

 we are furnished with a good example of individual variation. 



Locality : Cheval Paar, Gulf of Manaar. 



Lophogorgia rubrotincta, n. sp. Plate IV., fig. 12. 



The base of the colony is expanded for 25 millims. on a shell ; the branching is 

 approximately in one plane ; the measurements are about 100 millims. in height by 

 a maximum of 30 millims. in breadth ; the longest branches are about 30 millims. in 

 length ; the primary branches arise irregularly on the two sides of the main stem and 

 some give off secondary branches. As regards spicules and polyps, it seems to be a 

 Lophogorgia. Most of the coenenchyma spicules are rough spindles ; 0"1 millim. by 

 0"04 millim. is a common measurement, but many are much smaller. On the median 

 line of each flattened surface of the stem and its branches there is a line of red spicules 

 making a characteristic feature in contrast to the general orange-yellow. If it be not 

 worthy of recognition as a new species, it is a very distinctive variety. 



Lophogorgia irregularis, n. sp. Plate VI., fig. 7. 



An irregularly branching specimen of a dirty white colour, about 3 centims. in 

 maximum breadth by 1"5 centims. in height. The extraordinarily quaint mode of 

 branching may be described as somewhat antler-like, but the tips of the branches are 

 mostly bent downwards. The branches expand, constrict, and re-expand in a peculiar 

 way, and there is considerable flattening in the general plane of branching. The 

 polyps occur all over, completely retracted within slightly prominent rounded verrucse, 

 which are closest together and best defined towards the ends of the branches. Many 

 of the verrucas measure about 1 millim. in diameter, but the aperture of the polyp 

 on the apex of the gently rounded elevation is usually very much less (about 

 0"25 millim.). 



2 R 2 



