228 



Bebryce tenuis, n. sp. Plate VI. figs. 4 and 5. 



This species is represented by a beautiful slender specimen, 15 cm. in length, 

 which is probably but a fragment of the upper part of an elongated flexible colony. 

 It has an almost uniform diameter of about 2 mm. except at the tips which 

 are sub-claviform in shape. At 4 cm. from the broken end a branch 3 cm. in 

 length, with the end detached, is given off at an angle of about 00°. The stem 

 and branch are both twisted on their long axis. 



The coenenchyma is thick and dense. It consists of an almost uniform 

 outer layer of scales, underlying which are warty, irregular spindles and a few 

 double-clubs with very prickly warts. The surface is marked liy ridges and 

 depressions in several places. 



The arrangement of the polyps is by no means constant, in some places 

 they are disposed in four rows with a hint of a spiral, in others four occur at the 

 same level around the circumference, while a decussate arrangement is not in- 

 frequent. The verructe are compressed domes 2 mm. long, lH mm. broad and 

 075 mm. in height. The distance between the top of one verruca and that of 

 the next on that line is about 3"75 mm., so that a gently undulating contour 

 results. The anthocodife are small and when expanded protrude very little. The 

 tentacles, which bear no spicules, are infolded, the whole anthocodia being then 

 introverted. 



The axis is horny, very slender and flexible. It is composed of long 

 irregular strands and is hollow in the centre. The colour passes from a golden - 

 brown to pale yellow at the tips. 



The spicules are scales, spindles and double-clubs, all bearing spiny warts 

 with a smooth stalk. Many of the scales are indented on two sides and simu- 

 late double-clubs, but forms of the latter occur with only a median constriction, 

 there being no well-defined bare shaft. The following are some of the measure- 

 ments in millimetres : — 



(a) Scales, 0-24 x 014 ; 016 x 01 ; 014 x 014. 



(b) Irregularly warted spindles, 018 x 009 ; 0-14 x 008 ; 014 x 000 ; Oil 

 X 0-04. 



(r) Large double-clubs, 0-14 x 01 ; 013 x 0-09. 



This species approaches B. Iiicksoni, Thomson and Henderson, with which, 

 however, we cannot identify it. (See "Ceylon Pearl Oyster Fisheries Report," 

 Part III. Roy. Soc. 1905, Supplementary Report XX. p. 294. Plate III. fig. 1 ; 

 Plate VI. fig. 9.) 



Locality: Off Gopalpur, 11 fathoms. 



