49 S STDNTTT J. HICKSOX. 



Solexoeaulon ramosa, New species (Tiga 14, 15, 16, 17.) 



LocalitT. Savadiva Lagoc>ii. Coarse sand and rubble, 39 fathoms. One specimen. 



With the nsual 5^^^ttm I have little doubt this specimen would be made the type of a 

 new genus, but after the examination of the other specimens of the genus it is onlv with 

 some heatation that I propose to constitute a new speaes for it. 



The characters by which it is distinguished from all the other specimens of Solencaulon 

 in the collection, and indeed from the other described species of the genus (including Leucodla), 

 might be accounted for as local variations. But. bearing in mind, that no less than three 

 specimens A. B, and C of the ordinaiy kind came from the Suvadiva lagoon at the same depth, 

 this o:>n5ideration loses a great deal of weight. Xevertheless it is just possible that the 

 character of the currents at the spjt where this was found influencing the symbiotic Crus- 

 tacea in s>c>me way or another may have produced this abnormal form of growth. It is possible 

 that a dinerent and larger species of crustacean may have sheltered in the branches, driving 

 awav the normal species, thereby causing the large belt-like shelters, and preventing the 

 formation of the narrower tubes. I do not think that any such causes are so likely to have 

 affected the other features in which it differs from the other specimens of the coUecrion. 



The specimen is very much broken, but by putting the fragments together I have 

 reckcaied that when taken it was about 280 mm, in height. It is probable, however, that 

 this measurement is considerably short of the total length of the specimen when it was alive. 

 Tliere is no stalk or base of attachment. 



The most characterisric feature of the specimen is the presence of three complete belts, 

 and tme incomplete belt on the avis, and one incomplete belt on a branch. These belts 

 are filmed in the same manner, and have the same significance as the tubes of Soleno- 

 eamloK iorhtogvm. They are simply flattened wing-Hke outgrowths from the avis or branch 

 which embrace a cavity and fuse where they meet at their extremities (Figs. 15, 16). 



These belts are fronn 1-5 — 20 Tnm. in diameter above, and from 22 — 23 Tnm in diameter 

 below, and about 20 Tnm in length. They are situated on the axis at intervals of about 

 30 Tnm The incomplete belts are very similar to the complete ones in size and form, but 

 lie sides are not fused opposite to the axis. 



In one or two of the fragments there are places where a branch is very much flattened 

 and expanded, and these are undoubtedly to be regarded as commencing belts (Fig. 15). 



Unfortunately there is no direct evidence as to what these belts contained, but it is 

 verr probable that they sheltered some epizoic crustacean or other animal. The resemblance 

 of the imperfect belts to the growing crab-galls of a Seriatopora or PocUlopora is very 

 striking. 



In its thiiest part (nearest to the missing stalk) the axis is roughly cylindrical in form, 

 and about 8 mm, in diameter. It is scored with irregularly arranged longitudinal grooves. 

 Above the lowest belt it is more flattened^ and about 5 mm. in thickness, but from this point 

 upwards the extent of flattening is very irr^ular, some parts being much broader than 

 others. 



The structure of the a-rig appears to be precisely similar to that of S. tortuosum, the 

 corky substance of the central part and the softer vascular bark having the same general 

 aj^tearance in the two spedes. 



