96 CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



margin being sub-horizontal, while the lower is convex. They are -comparatively 

 short, about one-third the diameter of the branch, and are disposed in fairly steep 

 sinistrorse spirals and longitudinal rows, those in a row being about two lengths apart. 

 The rows do not consistently alternate, but a quincuncial arrangement is infrequent. 

 Five can be clearly seen from one aspect, while the tip of another is visible, seven 

 making a complete revolution. 



The polyps on the stem are large and circular, with a low truncated oral cone 

 and prominent mouth opening, which is also circular. The tentacles are arranged 

 radially and slightly distant on the branches, the polyps are arranged in a single 

 longitudinal row and are elongated in the direction of the axis this being specially 

 marked on the smaller branchlets. They are very large and prominent, measuring 

 T5 millims. in length. The projection bearing the circular oral opening is large and 

 cylindrical. The tentacles when fully expanded are very long, but in most of the 

 polyps they are contracted being then thick set and conical. They are disposed 

 in three pairs, the sagittal pair being inserted low down in the polyp. On the larger 

 branches the distance between the polyps is equal to about one-half their length, but 

 this diminishes considerably on the branchlets, where the polyps are more elongated 

 though still of the same general character. 



This species differs from any known form both in its mode of branching and in the 

 arrangement of the spines. 



Locality : Station XLI. , deep water oft' Galle. 



Antipathes gracilis, n. sp. Plate, figs. 7 and 14. 



A small, complete, delicate whin-like colony, 6 centims. high and 1 centim. in 

 diameter, attached by a small expansion. It consists of a main axis, 1 millim. 

 in diameter at the base, tapering gradually to a fine point. The lower 13 millims. of 

 the stem are devoid of branches. On the next 2 centims. small branches bearing 

 pinnules arise sub-horizontally from three sides. These are almost straight and taper 

 to a point, the longest being 8 millims. The remainder of the stem bears branches 

 arising on all sides, but apparently in no definite order. The branches gradually 

 diminish in length towards the apex of the colony. The colour of the axis is golden 

 yellow when seen with transmitted light. 



The spines on the bare part of the axis are slightly elongated, compressed, and 

 triangular, the upper margin being sub-horizontal, the lower convex. They are 

 arranged irregularly, about nine being visible from one aspect, at intervals of about 

 one length. Many of the basal spines show an antler-like or dendriform mode of 

 branching. On the upper part of the stem they are disposed in more regular 

 longitudinal lines, five being now visible from one aspect. On the pinnules they are 

 still of the same type, but more elongated, and with a greater slope towards the axis. 

 They seem to be arranged irregularly, but a closer examination reveals a hint of a 



