512 EDITH M. PRATT. 



5. Sarcophytum roseum (PI. XXIX. figs. 10 and 11), sp. nov. 



A single large fragment of a female colony consisting of a portion of the capituhim 

 was taken at a depth of 25 fathoms to the west of South Nilandu Atoll. In spirit the 

 specimen is of a beautiful brownish-pink colour, which was more vivid in the living con- 

 dition. When taken it was associated with a red Chiton and a Lamellibranch. In the 

 complete state the capitulum would be apparently cup-shaped. 



The specimen yields slightly to the touch, and the surface is somewhat granular. The 

 capitulum is apparently thickest in the middle, where it measures 11 mm. Towards the 

 margin it thins out, so that a radial section through the capitulum is wedge-shaped. In 

 all other specimens of the genus in the collection the margin of the capitulum is curved 

 downwards and inwards to a more or less degree. In S. latum the fold or seam is very 

 slight, but in this species it is entirely absent (fig. 11). The capitulum is irregularly lobed 

 at the margin, and its under surface is wrinkled and granular. Through the ectodermal 

 tissues marginal zooids may be seen running parallel with the surface. 



Autozooids. On that portion of the capitulum which is farthest from the margin the 

 autozooids are 7 to 10 mm. apart ; near the margin they are much more numerous and are 

 often less than "5 mm. apart. Most of the autozooids are completely retracted, but here and 

 there one may be seen with tentacles slightly expanded. Its colour is then seen to be of 

 a deep rich pink showing up clearly against the pale pink backgi-ound of the colony. The 

 tentacles are short, simple and pinnate. The stomodaeum is convoluted in the preserved 

 condition, and the mesenteries are well marked. Ova at various stages of development are 

 present on the mesenteries, some of the largest being fully "5 mm. in diameter. 



The siphonozooids are clearly marked and can be easily seen without a lens; as in 

 other species they are most numerous where the autozooids are fewest and vice versa. Their 

 average surface diameter is about "45 mm. Their stomodaea are longer than in any other 

 species which I have e.xamined, and have an average length of '4 mm. 



The spicules are more numerous near the surface than elsewhere, in this position being 

 in the form of small clubs and spindles averaging 'IS mm. in length and '06 mm. in breadth 

 (fig. 10, I, II, III). In the coenenchym they are slender, pointed spindles with proportionately 

 large tuberculate warts, which have a tendency to be arranged in zones as in S. latum and 

 in Lohophytxim. The spindles measure '2 — '4 mm. long by '06 — '07 mm. broad, and a very few 

 crosses '3 x '2 mm. are also present in the coenenchym. In shape the pointed spindles resemble 

 those of S. ehrenhergi, but in that species the warts are smaller and have not a zonate 

 arrangement. In this respect this species approaches S. latum, and the allied genus Loho- 

 phytum,, but the spicules of 8. latum are much broader in proportion to their length than 

 those of this form. 



6. Sarcophytum tenuis (PI. XXVIII. fig. 6 and PI. XXIX. fig. 9), sp. nov. 



Two specimens, one with the lower portion of the stalk missing, and another more 

 fi-agmentary, were taken well within the South Male lagoon at a depth of thirty fathoms. 

 The colony is in the form of a stalked disc 63 x .58 mm. in diameter, and 4 mm. thick, 

 excluding the anthocodiae of the autozooids. The portion of the stalk is 4 mm. long, and 

 15 X 5 mm. in diameter. The autozooids and siphonozooids are borne only on the upper 

 surface and margin of the disc. The specimen is soft to the touch, but is of a tough texture, 

 and of a dull brown colour. 



