BRYOZOA OF THE PHILIPPINE REGION 541 



and lobed, in which the ensemble is quite irregular. The tubes are 

 sometimes isolated and arranged in quincunx, and often grouped 

 in uniserial opposite or alternate fascicles. The tubes are little 

 distinct and very short; the peristome is thin and orbicular. The 

 ovicell is small, irregular, convex, perforated by the fascicles; the 

 oeciostome is small, little salient, adjacent to a tube. 



Measurements. — Diameter of peristome, 0.10 mm. (salient), 0.12 

 mm. (little salient); distance of fascicles, 0.10-0.16 mm.; number of 

 tubes to fascicle, 2 to 4; and width of large lobes, 1.5-2. 



Variations. — The zoarial form is quite variable and impossible to 

 describe; several plates would be insufficient for the illustration of 

 the principal variations and the greatest caprice occurs into the 

 development of the branches. The arrangement of the peristomes 

 is more constant; they are isolated (Proboscina) or grouped in idmonei- 

 form fascicles without any reason for the cause of these transforma- 

 tions. 



Biology. — This superb species has some very strange habits. The 

 larva always chooses a small substratum as irregular as possible. 

 The colony develops here in a most fantastic fashion, scaling the rough 

 places, creeping in equilibrium over the thinnest crests and then 

 developing fully in the most unexpected places. Even on large plane 

 surfaces it chooses the most inconvenient places where it forms 

 irregular and capricious meandering colonies. It often twists round 

 its host covering it on both sides and sometimes entirely surrounding 

 it. This is a true parasite for it can live only on the debris of other 

 animals. It seems that it tries to hide their deformities under its 

 superb cerulean branches. 



Like all the beautifully colored species, this one lived in waters of 

 little depth; at 28 meters its beautiful color is already diminished. 

 Sea bottoms covered with organic debris and rich in diatoms were 

 necessary for its life. 

 Occurrence. — 



D. 5137. Jolo Light, Jolo; 6° 4' 25" N.; 120° 58' 30" E.; 



20 fathoms; S. Sh. 

 D. 5141. Jolo Light, Jolo; 6° 9' N.J 120° 58' E.; 29 fathoms; 



co. S. 

 D. 5144. Jolo Light, Jolo; 6° 5' 50" N.j 121° 2' 15" E.; 



19 fathoms; co. S. 

 D. 5147. Sulade Islands, Sulu Archipelago; 5° 41' 40" N.; 



120° 47' 10" E.; 21 fathoms; co. S., Sh. 

 D. 5151. Sirun Island, Sulu Archipelago; 5° 24' 40" N.J 120° 

 27' 15" E.; 24 fathoms; co. S., Sh. 

 Cotypes— Cat. Nos. 8374, 8375, U.S.N.M. 



