1910. | N. ANNANDALE: Phylactolematous Polyzoa. 3 
n 
and more closely crowded together, and have the ectocyst distinctly 
clouded and the external surface tuberculate. Var. densa has 
also bigger and broader statoblasts than var. prostrata. In the 
Indian race the degree of transparency of the ectocyst is somewhat 
variable, but the surface is, in all the specimens I have seen, slightiy 
tuberculate and the method of growth resembles that of var. densa. 
There appears to be a difference as regards the number of tentacles, 
for while European specimens are said to have from 40 to 60, speci- 
mens from Calcutta have from 30 to 40. The statoblasts of Indian 
specimens resemble those of var. densa in being broad, but are rather 
smaller ; they are frequently somewhat asymmetrical in outline. 
Fixed statoblasts have not been found. 
I have, as yet, only found P. functata in the neighbourhood 
of Calcutta, where it is common in ponds in which a slight in- 
filtration of brackish water may be suspected. It flourishes 
during the ‘‘ rains’’ and the cold weather, but I can detect 
no difference between specimens taken in July and others taken in 
January. 
Genus STOLELLA, Annandale (1909). 
This genus is closely allied to Plumatella and especially to the 
punctata group, from which it is probably derived. The young 
zoarium closely resembles that of P. punctata, and it is only after 
several zocecia have been produced that the characteristic mode of 
growth becomes apparent, leng processes being given out from the 
base of certain zocecia so as to take the form of a stolon, and all the 
zocecia assuming an upright position. 
Stolella indica, Annandale. 
Stolella indica, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus., vol. i1, p. 279 (1909). 
This species is often found growing in close proximity to Pluma- 
bella punctata, from which even young zoaria may be readily distin- 
guished by their strong emargination and furrow. The upright 
position of the older zocecia and the false stolon that separates the 
little groups of zocecia in well-developed colonies are, of course, 
clear diagnostic characters. I have never seen a zoarium with 
lateral or vertical branches. he free statoblasts are variable in 
length ; they are usually elongate as a whole, but the capsule is 
neatly as broad as long and the swim-ring is exceedingly narrow 
on both faces at the sides. The fixed statoblasts, which are 
produced in considerable numbers, are very variable in proportions. 
The chitinous ring surrounding them is stout and is surrounded in 
its turn. by a narrow membranous ring indistinctly ornamented 
with a reticulate pattern. The surface of the capsule is smooth. 
The tentacles possess a short and feebly festooned velum at the 
base. 
S. indica is common in the neighbourhood of Calcutta during 
the ‘‘ rains’’ and has been taken by Major Walton at Bulandshahr 
in the United Provinces. 
