ANTI PATH ARIA. 103 



degree. They are slightly inclined to the axis, and are arranged irregularly, about 

 fifteen being visible from one aspect. Those on the pinnules are very thin and 

 delicate, fairly long, conical in shape, and inclined to the axis at an acute angle. 

 They are arranged in distinct longitudinal lines which are the expression of steep 

 dextrorse spirals. Five can be seen from one aspect. The distance between two in a 

 longitudinal line is equal to about two lengths. 



On the main branches the polyps are arranged irregularly, and are almost circular, 

 the tentacles, which are moderately long, being equidistant from the oral cavity. 

 On the pinnules the polyps are arranged on the convex surface and are elongated in 

 the direction of the axis. The distance between the polyps varies. In some places 

 they are crowded together, while in others they are separated by a distance equal to 

 their breadth. In all cases the body of the polyp is large. The oral cavity is 

 circular and borne on a very prominent cylindrical projection. The tentacles are 

 large and inclined outwards, being very rugose in appearance, due probably to the 

 state of retraction. They are arranged in three rows of two each the sagittal 

 tentacles beino- inserted far down. 



The colony bears numerous epizoic animals : Cirriped galls and stalked barnacles, 

 tubes of Spirorbis, several Polyzoa, a Sponge, and a young pearl oyster shell. It is 

 worthy of note that the majority of these are overgrown by the ccenenchyma and 

 bear both polyps and spines. 



A second specimen of this species also slightly damaged is 14 - 5 centims. in 

 height and 8 centims. in breadth. It consists of a main stem with a basal attachment 

 from which three branches arise on one side at about 60. These are slightly arched, 

 and the longest, which is 12 centims. in length, has a diameter of 1 millim., 

 tapering to a point. The whole colony is flabellate. In its spines, polyps, and colour 

 it agrees with the other specimen. 



This species should be included in Brook's Group A (''Challenger" Eeport), but 

 it does not approach closely to any of species already included in that group. 



Localities : Deep water off Galle, and Station VIII., deep water, in Gulf of Manaar. 



Antipathella elegans, n. sp. Plate, fig. 10. 



A complete, very graceful colony, 13 centims. in height, with a maximum breadth 

 of 55 centims. at a distance of 9 - 5 centims. from the base, which is expanded into a 

 discdike attachment. At a distance of 3 centims. from the base the main stem 

 bifurcates and the two subsidiaries develop almost equally. The mode of branching 

 is not uniform. The general appearance is dichotomous, but this breaks down in 

 several places where three or four branches arise on one side. The stem and branches 

 are black at the base, gradually passing into golden brown near the apex. All the 

 branches and pinnules are hollow. The diameter of the branches varies very little in 

 the different parts, and the gentle tapering gives the whole colony a very graceful 

 appearance. The axis is 1 millim. in diameter at the base. The spines are short and 



