30.'5 



The polyps and spicules show marked variability as in C. obesa, but agree 

 on the whole with Kolliker's type specimens. It is interesting to note that, 

 in all the specimens we examined, the change in position of the axis with 

 regard to the partition walls in the trunk and stalk is exactly in accordance 

 with Kolliker's description. 



The colour is pale yellow, with transparent polyps like those of Alcyonium 

 (Ugitatinii, but in two specimens (those with the long stalks) it is purplish, 

 even in the body of the polyps, while the tentacles are pinkish-white. 



Localities : Orissa Coast, Marine Survey ; Sandheads, R. Hughli ; also 

 Calicut. 



Previously recorded from Bay of Bengal. 



Cavernularia orientalis, n. sp. Plate IX. figs, la, lb. 



This new species is represented by one complete specimen whose measure- 

 ments are as follows : — 



Total length of colony . . 65 mm. 

 Length of trunk . . .47 mm. 



Breadth of trunk . . .15 mm. 

 Length of stalk . . . .18 mm. 

 Breadth of stalk ... 6 mm. 



The axis extends from about the middle of the stalk to within 27 mm. of 

 the tip of the trunk. A cross-section of the stalk shows a circular cavity with 

 two thick diametrically placed partition walls dividing it into four equal longi- 

 tudinal canals. In the trunk, however, the position of the walls is different. 

 The cavity is oval in shape, and parallel to the short axis there are two dividing 

 partitions ; joining the mid-jjoints of these is the septum transversale. The 

 spindle-shaped axis is enclosed, at the middle of the septum, within the two 

 component membranes. In the upper portion of the trunk the same three 

 partition Avails are flistinctly visible, though more delicate than in the stalk. 



There are abundant spicules in the canal walls both in the stalk and in the 

 trunk. 



The polyps are all withdrawn and the whole colony is very much con- 

 tracted. The position of the polyps is marked by pit-like depressions which 

 are about 1 mm. aj^art. There are abundant siphonozooids with apparently no 

 regular arrangement. Their openings appear as elongated slits. A section of 

 the trunk shows large internal cavities with well-developed mesenteries bearing 

 small ova, but the polyp occupies only a small portion near the surface. 

 Numerous solenia are also seen traversing the colony in all directions, connect- 

 ing the polyps and apparently also the siphonozooids with the large central 



canals. 

 39 



