145 



of small lobes ; the verruca' are well developed antl cylindi'ical ; the antliocodicc 

 are large, and bear a distinct "crown and points " armature visible to the naked 

 eye ; the " crown " consists of ten to fourteen rows of curved spindles ; the 

 " points " are composed of ten to fifteen spicules slightly " en chevron ". The 

 spicules are transparent : — 



Those of {(() the trunk and polyparium are warty spindles. 

 Those of {/)) the anthocodiie are spiny spindles and clubs. 

 Those of (c) the tentacles are scale-like sclerites. 



The following are average measurements length by breadth in milli- 

 metres : — 



(a) 1(3 xO-45; 0-6 x Olo. 

 (f)) 1-2 X 0-1; 0-5 X 005. 

 (r) 0-12 X 002 ; 004 x 002. 



Distrihution. 



All the specimens are from the Indian Ocean, and seem to be of a semi- 

 littoral nature. C. celosioides is recorded from the Andamans (depth uncer- 

 tain) ; C. expansa was dredged off Cape Comorin in 38 fathoms ; while C. 

 alciformis occurs both at the Andamans and off the Arakan coast ; at the latter 

 place it was found in 13 fathoms. 



More Detailed Description. 



Owing to the denseness of the spiculation and the consequent damage in 

 decalcification, it was impossible to investigate the histology of these sjjecimens ; 

 but the following more detailed descriptions may give some basis and justifica- 

 tion for ranking them under a new and distinct genus. 



Cactogorgia celosioides, vSimpson. Plate VII., figs. 1-3. 



This species is represented by two small specimens of a light brown colour. 

 They present a characteristic appearance which suggests in many respects the 

 coxcomb-flower {Celoxia). Both specimens are attached by a slightly ex- 

 panded disc to pieces of detached rock. The first has a cylindrical stalk 16 

 mm. in length and 6 mm. in diameter, but expanded at the disc of attachment 

 to 10 mm. ; this is surmounted by an upper polyp-bearing portion flattened in 

 one plane and almost semicircular in outline ; it is 20 mm. in length and 19 mm. 

 in breadth just above its insertion on the stalk. The second specimen (fig. 1) 

 has a more irregular contour. The stalk or trunk is also flattened in the plane 

 of expansion of the polyparium ; it is 17 mm. in length and 11 mm. in breadth, 

 and supports a polyp-bearing portion 19 mm. in height and 16 mm. in breadth. 



From the base of the stalk an offshoot or lobe, 8 mm. in height and 9 mm. in 

 19 



