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occasional twig directed towards a third aspect breaks the distinctly bilateral 

 symmetry. The main stem and branches are cylindrical but the twigs are 

 slightly flattened in the plane of ramification. The coenenchyma is moderately 

 thick and almost level ; in some places it consists of a single layer of spicules, 

 but in others there is an iimer layer of small and an outer of larger spindles. 

 The verruc;e are distinct, having a basal diameter and height of about 1 mm. ; 

 they are sub-conical and elongated in the direction of the axis. The spicules 

 are arranged longitudinally and are smaller than in the coenenchyma. There 

 is a hint of an arrangement in eight groups with eight projecting points. The 

 tentacular opei'culum is distinctly developed ; at the base there is a marked 

 " en chevron " arrangement, but this is not so noticeable further up, so that when 

 much contracted it presents the appearance of a sheaf of spicules irregularly 

 disposed ; the collaret consists of two or three rows of slightly interlocking, 

 transversely arranged, curved spindles. 



The polyps occur in the older parts on three surfaces, but in the younger 

 twigs an alternate arrangement seems to predominate ; in the pink specimen 

 they sometimes arise on the fourth surface. They stand almost at right angles, 

 Init seem to be directed alternately towards the flattened aspects of the colony. 

 The ends of the twigs are occupied by two almost opposite polyps. 



As in other species of Muricella, e.g. M. ramosa, there is a great difference 

 in the size of the spicules on the main stem and on the younger branches. The 

 longitudinal arrangement also, so definite in the twigs, is often lost sight of in 

 the older parts. 



In both specimens cirripede galls occur, overgrown by polyp-bearing 

 coenenchyma. 



The measurements of the spicules are almost the same as those given by 

 Wright and Studer for the " Challenger " specimen. 



The great variety of colour occurring in this species is very marked. The 

 " Challenger " type specimens were pale rose with yellowish calyces ; one from 

 Ceylon had a violet tint with yellow polyps and verrucce, while another violet 

 specimen had rose-red spicules on the tentacles ; of the " Investigator " forms one 

 is rose-pink with yellow polyps, the other is purple-red with yellow polyps. 



Locality : Andamans. 



Several other small colonies and fragments occur from the Andamans, 

 Laccadives, 30-50 fathoms, and Arakan Coast, 13 fathoms. The following 

 colour schemes occur: (1) White. (2) Pink with pale yellow polyps. (3) Red 

 with pale yellow polyps. (4) Violet with white polyps. (5) Purplish with yellow 

 to wh ite polyps. 



The Wood-Mason Collection contains two beautiful small specimens, one 

 purplish-red, the other creamy-white, which we have no hesitation in referring 

 to this species. The former is 95 mm. high and 45 mm. broad, while the latter 



