260 



Eumuricea ramosa, n. sp. 

 Plate VIII. fiu. 15. 



'&• 



A new species is required for a huge colony 230 mm. in height and 300 mm. 

 in maximum breadth. The base is expanded in the form of a large cone 28 

 mm. in diameter and 18 mm. in height. From this the main stem, which is 

 8 mm. in diameter, arises. It is sinuous and very much contorted and has 

 been broken at a height of 90 mm., the fractured portion being now, however, 

 overgrown with crenenchyma. The branching is predominantly in one plane, 

 but the branches arise irregularly. The larger branches taper markedly, but the 

 twigs are of an almost uniform thickness throughout, except at the tip where 

 many are somewhat clavate. 



The axis is horny and rough, being covered with numerous small knobs, 

 presumably the remains of small twigs. It is lamellar in structure and displays 

 a tendency to break up into thin sheets. In one place where a sheet has been 

 partially detached the ccenenchyma has completely overgrown the semi-detached 

 portion and formed a flat expansion covered with polyps. The axis is dark 

 brown in colour with lighter longitudinal striations. 



The coenenchyma is moderately thin in the main stem and larger branches, 

 and follows the uneven contour of the axis, but in the smaller branches and 

 twigs it is thicker and more uniform. It is densely packed with colourless 

 spicules, which in the older parts are small and irregularly arranged, but in the 

 twigs are disposed longitudinally. 



The polyps occur all over the stem, comparatively distant on the older 

 portions, but with their bases almost touching, on the twigs. The anthocodiae 

 are completely retractile and have a distinct tentacular operculum consisting of 

 eight irregular groups of spindles. When partially retracted these form a 

 slightly elevated cone. The verrucse have the form of truncated cones. They 

 are about 1 mm. in height and 1 mm. in diameter at the base. About three may 

 be seen on one aspect in the twigs, but as many as seven in the larger branches 

 where they are comparatively distant. The spicules are arranged longitudinally 

 in eight distinct groups, the tips of the latter forming eight teeth around the 

 oral aperture, within which the tentacular oi)erculum is almost hidden. The tips 

 of the twigs are occupied by three or four polyps at about the same level. 



The spicules are for the most part spindles, straight, curved, or S-shaped. 

 Those of the coenenchyma are covered with papillose warts. Many have 

 markedly tapering ends while others are very blunt. In the anthocodise the 

 spindles are in many cases almost club-shaped, and bear small conical knobs 

 which often diminish in size towards the ends so that the latter portion 

 appears almost smooth. The following measurements length by breadth in 

 miUimetres may be taken as typical ; — 



