170 CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



colour of the following sizes : 0"3 millim. x 0'02 millim. ; 0"35 rnillim. x 0"02 millim. 

 The spicules of the polyps are very minute and are pale yellow or colourless, 

 - 15 millim. x - 01 millim. 

 Locality : Ceylon seas. 



Spongodes microspiculata, var. ceylonensis, now 



Another colony, 8 "5 centims. high and 5 centims. hroad, belongs to the same species, 

 but as it differs markedly in general form and colour it seems advisable to record a 

 distinct variety. The chief points of difference are : 



(1) It does not extend so markedly in one plane, one of the branches arising more 

 or less at right angles to the >lane of expansion ; 



(2) The general contour is more rugged ; 



(3) The colour approaches purple, even on the main branches, owing to the presence 

 of faintly purplish spicules ; 



(4) The spicules are arranged on the main stem and branches more transversely ; 



(5) The spicules are long, slender, warty spindles, with a light purple tint in the 

 older parts, becoming darker on the smaller branches which bear the polyps. Those 

 of the polyps are transparent and colourless. Measurements : On the main stem, 

 2*2 millims. x 0"2 millim. and 1*2 millims. x - 2 millim. ; on the smaller branches, 

 1*4 millims. x O'l millim., 1"5 millims. x 0*1 millim. ; around the polyps, 0'6 millim. 

 x 0-01 millim. 



The architecture of the polyps is essentially the same as in the former specimen, so 

 that this form must be classed in the species 7nicrospiculata, though the characters 

 enumerated above justify its position as a new variety. 



Locality : Ceylon seas. 



Family: SIPHONOGORGIID^. 

 Chironephthya indica, n. sp. Plate, figs. 1 and 14. 



A specimen of a reddish-brown colour, consisting of two small branches, about 

 4 centims. in height and 4 millims. in thickness. 



The polyps occur on all sides and a frequent interval is 1 millim. Each is about 

 - 5 millim. in diameter. The anthocodiee are almost without exception nearly flush 

 with the general surface of the branch. 



The opercular covering consists of eight triangular portions or " points " converging 

 over the tentacles, and at the bases of the triangles there are numerous (5) rows of 

 horizontal spicules forming a circlet or " crown." Each triangular "point" consists of 

 three diverging pairs of spicules arranged en chevron, the two outermost enclosing the 



