2 AKT. 7. — K. KTNOSHITA : ON SOME MURICEID CORALS 



like and flexible, measuring O.G-0.8 mm. in diameter in the 

 middle parts and 1.5 mm. at the swollen end ; unbranched 

 except three specimens which send out a branch at right angle. 

 The stems or portions of stems obtained measure 4.5, 5.5, 

 8.5, 9.5, 12.0, 14.5,14.5, 15.5, 25, 29, 31, 41 cm. in length. The 

 length of branches in the three specimens just mentioned measures: 

 18, 19, 21 cm. 



The majority of the specimens before me are imperfect, being 

 broken at one — assumably the basal — end. The preserved end 

 (PI. XL, fig. 7) is swollen and blunt, and greatly resembles the 

 thicker end in Gkay's figure (I.e., p. 444, fig. 2). This end was 

 proved in longitudinal sections to be the growing or the distal 

 end of the colony, i.e., the thin horny lamellie are here found 

 to be convex towards the tip. In the three complete colonies 

 before me, the other end also terminates bluntly, as shown in PL 

 I., fio;. 1. This end is narrower than the other and resembles the 

 thinner end in Gray's figure. In all the three cases, the end in 

 question was also proved to be the growing end. These colonies, 

 therefore, must have been free — not attached — in the nature. 



The spicules of the cœnenchyma are fusiform, straight or 

 slightly curved, with tuberculated warts. Those near the surface 

 are thicker and show more pronounced warts. Below these are 

 others more slender in shape and provided with weaker warts in a 

 smaller number. The measurements of some of the spicules are : 

 0.14x0.04, 0.19x0.05, 0.2x0.09, 0.25x0.08, 0.28x0.05, 

 0.29x0.05, 0.29x0.11, 0.29x0.12, 0.33x0.11, 0.35x0.11, 

 0.37x0.13, 0.39x0.09 mm. 



The polyp-cells are irregularly disposed around the stem, 

 and sometimes show slight indications of subalternate arrange- 

 ment. They are usually l-3mm. apart, but are often more crowded. 



