316 Transactions. — Zoology. 



The alimentary tract is distinctive, approaching the form 

 observed in many other species more closely than that of its 

 New Zealand allies. The stomach is large, and has walls 

 formed of long columnar cells (fig. 7, st.). It communicates 

 by a short unconstricted pyloric tube with the intestine, 

 which is thick- walled and globular (fig. 7, i.). A short narrow 

 passage leads into the dilated rectum, which is glandular in 

 its lower half, and above encircles the oesophagus (cf. fig. 7 

 with PI. XXIV., fig. 7). The atrial pore is plain (fig. 7, a^.^;.), 

 and, as in other LeptocHnids, situated half-way up the bran- 

 chial basket. 



Eeproduction by gemmation is of frequent occurrence, 

 and is an exact counterpart of the process seen in L.niveiim 

 (fig. 7). In fig. 7 a young zooid is shown' with stigmata, 

 languets, and atrial pore plainly visible. 



The testis presents the form characteristic of the family, 

 there being usually only five or six coils of the vas deferens. 

 Its position varies much with the shape of the abdominal 

 cavity. Generally near the intestine, it may occasionally be 

 found in contact with tlie rectum in a special test-chamber 

 (fig. 1, v.d.). 



Opaque rounded bodies supposed to be ova w^ere met with 

 in the test, also a few tailed iarvffi (fig. 8). These are dis- 

 tinguishable at once from those of. other species by the 

 enormously long tail, which quite encircles the body. Two 

 pigmented sense-organs (eye and auditory sac) were always 

 present, also three adhering papillae (s.o. and a.^j., fig. 8). 



Leptoclinum maculatum, n. sp. Plate XXVII. 



A single colony of squall extent was obtained in Sep- 

 tember. 



The corm varies in thickness from l-5mm. to 2-5mm. In 

 colour it is a hght-brown, spotted with dull white above_ the 

 zooids, which thus become very conspicuous for a Leptoclinid. 

 In consistency the colony is firm and leathery, but tears 

 easilv, and adheres very closely to the rock. 



The branchial pores are smaller than in any other species 

 examined, but in the living condition can be discerned with a 

 lens under favourable conditions. A high power used on sur- 

 face-sections shows the pore to be six-lobed, but three of these 

 lobes are very small, and wedged in the angles of the others 

 in such a way as to create the impression that only three large 

 lobes exist (fig. 4). 



Common cloacal openings are few in number and large, 

 though not distinct. In fig. 2 one is shown in section (c.c.o.), 

 the edges being apparently lobed. Much irregularity is, 

 however, observable, and this appearance I look upon as acci- 

 dental. Cloacal canals are well developed. 



