281 



Locality : An damans. 



Previously recorded from Borneo, Philippines, Indian Ocean, etc. 



Virgularia ornata, n. sp. 



To this species we refer a portion of a colony consisting of part of a 

 rachis, 23 mm. in length, with 13 pinnules on each side. 



The axis is very distinctive and is quadrilateral in section ; the meta-rachidial 

 surface is broader than the pro-rachidial, but both are concave ; on the para- 

 rachidial surfaces a distinct ridge extends throughout the entire length so as 

 to form two longitudinal furrows on each side ; the surface is very rough and 

 the whole is prismatic in structure. 



The pinnules are S-shaped and overlap on the meta-rachidial aspect, but 

 leave a bare space on the pro-rachidial surface, along the middle of which runs a 

 shallow longitudinal furrow. The number of polyps on a pinnule varies greatly ; 

 on the lowest present there are only twelve, but on the sixth pinnule farther up 

 there are forty-five. These are apparently arranged in four rows, but this is due 

 no doubt to secondary growth and crowding. The pinnules are separated by 

 about 2 mm. No trace of nutritive canals was seen on the pro-rachidial surface. 



The zooids are in three to four rows and are very distinct, forming a plate 

 extending almost the whole distance between the pinnules and about equally 

 separated from each. 



This species approaches V. riimphii, KoUiker, but is distinguished from it 

 by (1) the zooids in three to four rows; (2) the shape of the axis; (3) the 

 apparent absence of nutritive canals on the pro-rachidial surface. This last 

 character is of doubtful specific importance, but the two others mark our speci- 

 men as distinct from V. rumjjhii. 



Locality : Andamans. 



Virgularia fusca, n. sp. 



A fine specimen of this distinct species of a brownish-black colour. 

 Length of colony . . . 140 mm. 



Breadth of rachis . . . 6'5 mm. 



Number of well-developed pinnules 40/38. 

 Number of polyps on a pinnule . 60-65. 

 Diameter of bladder . . .5 mm. 

 About 18 mm. from the base the pinnules start as insignificant dots and 

 continue so for about 20 mm. Beyond this they gradually increase in size, but 

 for the next 28 mm. the polyps are not distinct. The well-developed pinnules 

 are S-shaped and very much contorted ; the pro-rachidial insertion is slightly 

 higher than the meta-rachidial. They have a broad insertion and bear 60-65 

 36 



