IQI5.| N. ANNANDALE: Phylactolaematous Polyzoa. 165 
Australella indica, sp. nov. 
(Plate II.) 
Zoarium.—The zoarium forms a massive, somewhat nodular 
structure growing round the stems of water-plants. It has an 
opaline gelatinous appearance and (preserved in formalin or spirit) 
a hard but elastic consistency. Even when the polypides are 
completely retracted the individual zooecia are distinctly visible, 
each having the appearance of being enclosed in a separate cell- 
like compartment. ‘The surface, apart from the larger nodulosity, 
is otherwise smooth. 
As is usually the case in the Plumatellinae, the precise organiza- 
tion of the colony is best seen in its terminal parts. There it is 
quite evident that the zoarium consists essentially of a main stem 
giving off lateral branches symmetrically in pairs, one branch at 
each side. The branches join the main stem at an acute angle 
aud those that form each pair are given off almost simultaneously 
at the same level. The main stem is, as a whole, recumbent and 
adherent, but the lateral branches, although they are horizontal, 
at first run in the synoecial jelly, parallel to rather than in con- 
tact with the object to which the colony is attached. As they 
develop further, they become adherent and themselves give off 
lateral branches. Both the main stem and the main branches have 
actually a zig-zag course, because they are composed of zooecia 
which point alternately in two directions, this can only be seen 
clearly in the younger parts; for in the older parts interdigitation 
of the secondary branches takes place to such an extent that it 
is difficult to follow the course of any one branch, and the whole 
mass of zooecia seems to have a practically homogeneous honey- 
comb-like structure. Although the phase ‘“‘ main stem” is a 
convenient one, it must be understood that there are actually 
several or many stems of the kind in a single large colony such as 
the one figured on plate II, and that each is actually a unit or ray 
in a radiate dendritic whole. 
The jelly which fills the interstices between the zooecia and 
between the stems and branches occupies a relatively small space. 
It is colourless and hyaline and, preserved in spirit or formalin, 
has the consistency of cartilage. I can detect no cells either in it 
or on its surface except, on the surface, those of unicellular algae. 
It is easily removed from the zooecia. 
Zooecia —The individual zooecia are distinctly J-shaped. The 
horizontal arm is more slender than the vertical one, which is 
sometimes constricted at its base in such a way that it assumes 
an outline like that of an egg-cup. The soft tissues are very 
delicate and easily torn and there seems to be no horny or other 
non-cellular layer between them and the jelly, which, indeed, is 
itself the homologue of such a layer. 
Polypides.—The polypides closely resemble those of Pluma- 
tella. ‘The lophophore is slender and bears between 40 and 50slen- 
der and moderately elongate tentacles which have a narrow but 
