Stuckey.— Ncir Zealand Actinian, Bunodes aureoradiata. 369 



Oral Disc. — The ectoderm resembles that of the tentacles. The nuclei 

 are large, and there are fewer nematocysts. The radial or ectodermal 

 muscles are strong, and are carried on deep pleatings of the mesogloea. 

 The mesogloea is i imilar to that of other parts. The endodermal or circular 

 muscles are weaker than the ectodermal. The " mouth " is borne on a 

 prominent peristome surrounded by a broken circle of yellow, from which 

 ■extend 6 groups, each consisting of 3 radiating yellow lines with a shorter 

 yellow line between each 2 groups. These yellow radii correspond to the 

 first 3 cycles of tentacles, the tentacles of the 4th cycle being set opposite 

 to the interspaces. 



.Esophagus. — The colour is greyish-white. There are 2 siphonoglyphs, 

 with inconspicuous tubercles. The insertions of the mesenteries are shown 

 by white markings. Each side of the cesophagus is thrown into 2 large 

 lobes. Outgrowths of the mesogloea, with corresponding foldings of the 

 •ectodermal lining of the oesophagus, give a much folded appearance, which 

 in cross-sections somewhat resembles an exaggerated starfish. 



Mesenteries. — There are 24 pairs of mesenteries, of which 12 pairs are 

 perfect, 2 pairs being directives ; they are arranged quite regularly — a 

 pair of imperfect mesenteries in each exocoele of the perfect pairs. Strong 

 retractor muscles are borne on the faces of the mesenteries. On the im- 

 perfect mesenteries they extend from near the body-wall to the inner end 

 of the mesentery. The cells of the endoderm are spindle-shaped. 



Gonads. — None present in any of the specimens sectioned. 



Dimensions. — Oral disc 12 mm. wide in a good specimen. Height in 

 full expansion rather more than 12 mm. The longest tentacles are about 

 8 mm. 



Locality and Habits. — The only specimens I have seen were procured at 

 Oriental Bay by Professor Kirk. The animal lives between tide-marks, 

 almost completely buried in sand and mud. The presence of the zooxan- 

 thellse probably enables it.to adopt this habit. It lives well in captivity. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XVII. 



Fig. L Directive mesenteiies (cross-section) ; x 04. 

 Fig. 2. Sphincter muscle (cross-section) ; x 270. 



