253 



From a colony KJO nun. in height and 190 nnn. in breadth the following 

 measurements of spicules length by breadth in millimetres were taken : — 

 {(f) Twig, 2-5 X O:};") ; 1-9 X 0:3. 

 (/y) Older branch, lo x 02 ; 1 x OIS. 

 {(■) Main stem, 07 x 012 ; 045 x 0-0(3 ; 04 x 0-05. 



(d) Anthocodicc, 0-35 x 0-03 ; 0-3 x 0-025 ; 0-25 x 0-02. 



(e) Tentacles, 0-1 x o-Ol ; 0-09 x 0-075. 



In one small colony (30 mm. in height and 30 mm. in breadth the 

 branches arise alternately from the main stem and there is no hint of anasto- 

 mosis. The polyi's stand perpendicularly on two sides and are almost sub- 

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

 protected liy some of the spicules of the outer layer of the ccenenchyma. The 

 spicules of the outer layer are very large and almost continuous ; they are, 

 length by breadth, 4 mm. x 0-7 mm., 3-8 mm. x 0-65 mm. ; those of the polyps 

 are 0-5 mm. to 03 mm. in length. In several respects this small specimen 

 seems to differ from M. raiiiosf/, Ijut when we take into consideration the varia- 

 bility displayed we have no hesitation in referring both to the same species. 



Localities : Andaman Sea, 53 fathoms ; Persian Gulf, 48-49 fathoms. 



Previously recorded from Gulf of Manaar ; off Galle and onwards up West 

 Coast of Ceylon. 



Two of the largest colonies in the Wood-Mason Collection belong to this 

 species. The larger is 300 mm. in height and 210 mm. in maximum breadth ; 

 the smaller is 280 mm. high and 110 mm. broad. In external features they 

 closely resemble both the type specimen and the colonies above described, but 

 exhibit the .same variations. The large white spicules, standing in relief from 

 the thin Heshy ccenenchyma, especially in the smaller branches and twigs, give 

 the colonies a peculiarly characteristic appearance. 



Muricella rubra, Thomson. 



This species was established for a minute fragment in the Ceylon collection, 

 and as a number of beautiful complete colonies as well as a number of broken 

 pieces were dredged by the " Investigator," we may supplement the original 

 description. 



All are of a bright red to orange-red colour ; in length and breadth three 

 colonies are 160 mm. by 120 mm., 110 mm. by 100 mm., and 100 mm. by 45 mm. 

 respectively, while the diameter of the axis at the base is 4 mm., 35 mm. and 

 2 mm. 



The branching is confined to one jjlane and is very irregular. The branches 

 arise at varying angles and bend in diverse directions. The ccenenchyma is 

 fairly thin and almost levt'l. In the younger portions the spicules are large 



