Sarcophytum ehrenbergi, Marenzeller. 



To this species we refer a small colony 25 mm. in height with a sterile 

 stalk, 15 mm. long and 9 mm. in diameter, surmounted by an expanded disc, 

 giving a distinct mushroom shape. The capitulum is saucei'-shaped ; the 

 margin is turned up slightly instead of down as is usually the case. The 

 texture of the colony is leathery, but the spicules are numerous near the surface. 



The autozooids are large and distant ; some are about 4 mm. in length and 

 are separated by distances of from 2 mm. to So mm. They are more closely 

 packed around the margin. The siphonozooids are large and fairly abundant. 



The colour of the colony, as recorded at the time of preservation, was a 

 pale dirty chocolate with black autozooids. 



This species was first described by Marenzeller (1886), p. 356 (Tafel IX. 

 figs. 3 and 4), and again in detail by Miss Pratt (1903), p. 508 (Plate XXVIII. 

 figs. 1 and 2). 



Locality : Andamans. 



Previously recorded from Red Sea, Port Denison (Australia), Viti Islands, 

 China Straits (New Guinea), Maldives. 



GENUS LOBOPHYTUM, Marenzeller. 

 Lobophytum crassum, Marenzeller. 



To this species as defined by Marenzeller (1886, p. 363, Tafel IX. figs. 8, 

 9, 10 and 11), we refer a small young colony somewhat mushroom-shaped. It 

 consists of a sterile stalk 20 mm. in length and 5'5 mm. in diameter at the base, 

 but gradually increasing to 10 mm. at the top, where it is surmounted by a 

 much-convoluted capitulum. The whole colony is hard and rigid and is abun- 

 dantly supplied with small spicules. The coenenchymal canals are large and 

 distinct ; they are cylindrical almost to the base of the colony. 



The autozooids are small and have minute pores. They are very distant 

 and are separated by intervals of 2"5 mm. to 3"5 mm. The siphonozooids are 

 minute and numerous ; they are very crowded and give the colony a pitted 

 appearance visible to the naked eye. 



The colour is pale yellow to cream. 



This is a very variable species. Marenzeller distinguishes four varieties ; 

 (1) L. crassum (type), from Port Denison ; (2) L. cmssum, var. borbonicum, from 

 Island of Reunion ; (3) L. crassum, var. crista-galU, from Tonga ; and (4) L. fvas- 

 siim, var. prolifera, from Port Denison. Our specimen is young and immature 

 so that we do not feel justified in ranking it under any distinct variety. 



Locality : Pedro Shoal. 



Previously recorded from Port Denison, Reunion, Tonga, Loyalty Islands. 



