125 



In one of the specimens examined, two pelagic fish ova were 

 found, one tightly clasped by the mesenterial filaments, the 

 other in the lower half of the stomodoeum. 



3. HETEROCYATHUS AEQUICOSTATUS. 



The polyp completely covers the whole corallum, only stopping 

 short around the aperture of the Aspidosiphon chamber. Canals 

 from the intermesenterial chambers extend downwards over the 

 costae, only becoming obliterated towards the centre of the base. 

 The tentacles number 24, and are connected at their base, 

 each with a pair of mesenteries, the muscles of which serve in 

 contraction to introvert them. In the ectoderm mucous cells 

 are very common, and there is also a deposit of brown pigment, 

 showing that the polyps were probably coloured in the living 

 state. 



The mesenteries number 48, of which 12 reach the stomo- 

 doeum. Their lines of attachment are marked by ridges, which 

 are similar to the filaments in structure, merging into them be- 

 low. The latter end in coiled masses, the acontia, which, how- 

 ever, scarcely look as if they were capable of being extruded. 

 Nematocysts of the usual type occur sparingly, except in the 

 massed loops, where they are very numerous. 



The endoderm forms large, rather granular pads at the 

 base of the filaments, which in the contracted specimens almost 

 smk into them. The gastro-vascular cavity of one specimen 

 was crowded with small pieces of green weed, many pieces of 

 which could be seen in these pads, apparently ingested whole. 

 There was no trace of any endodermal nematocysts. Genera- 

 tive organs occur in all the mesenteries. In the larger 

 ones, instead of forming a single layer of sperm masses or ova, 

 they may be three or more follicles or ova thick between the 

 two endoderm layers of the mesenteries. There are also in 

 each ovary several ova from the free edge towards the attached 

 base of the mesentery, not a single line, as is common in other 

 genera. The specimens of dredging I. of type i (6 examined) 

 were all female, and of type 2 (4 examined) all male. The 

 young are either male or female, and specimens from other 

 dredgings, independent of their type, are male or female. 



4. CARYOPHYLLIA EPITHECATA. 



The polyp only extends down the outside of the corallum 

 for 1-3 mm. It has four cycles of tentacles over the septa, 

 decreasing in size from I. to IV. Over septa IV. they are very 



D 



