12 



point spicules, the point spicules l)cing arranged en chevj-on and not in a fan- 

 sha2)ed manner. 



The measurements of the spicules are as follows : 



Point spicules, 0-35 X 0025; 0-3x0-03; 0-3xO-025; 0-2x0-02. 

 Crown spicules, O-Gx 0-035; 0-5x0-028; 0-4x0-03; 0-3x0-02. 



On the al)oral surface of the tentacles there are numerous small spicules 

 arranged in Vs. Their average length is 0'08 mm., and their average breadth 

 0-012. 



Locality : Bay of Bengal ; 88 fathoms. Previously recorded from the 

 Maldives (Hickson) ; Ceylon (Thomson and Henderson, 1905). 



CMronephthya macrospiculata, n. sp. Plate IV. fig. 10. 



This species is represented l)y a single colony about 5 cms. in height. 



From the fiat spreading base two stems arise which are fused together for a 

 .short di.stance. The larger gives off a lateral branch at a point nearly half-way up. 

 The colony presents a very rough appearance owing to the huge spicules which 

 form a loose covering over the stems and branch. The spaces left l)etweeu 

 the large spicules are filled l)y minute spicules wliicli are either colourless or 

 red. 



The polyps arise all round the stems and branch, and are supported Ijy small 

 platform-shaped calyces formed by several sjDicules placed side by side. In the 

 polyps the spicules are arranged in crown and points. The crown consists of three 

 rows, and in the jjoints the spicules are arranged en chevron. In each point there 

 are two principal spicules slightly inclined to one another, and two smaller sjiicules 

 in the angle between these. Two pairs lie in the space between two adjacent 

 points. On the aboral surface of each tentacle there is a band of spicules arranged 

 longitudinally or in Vs, with the apices of the Vs directed towards the distal 

 end of the tentacle. The sjjicules of this band are white, except for a narrow trans- 

 verse ]3ortion about lialf-way up in which tlie sjjicules are a bright red. 



The spicules of the ccjenenchyma are warty or spiny spindles, straight or 

 .slightly twisted, coloured or colourless. The following measurements were taken 

 of length and breadth in millimetres : 



1. Uncoloured, 8-3x0-9; 5-2x0-9; 3-9xO-G; r4x0-22; 0-8x0-12. 



2. Coloured, 0-3x0-04; 0-2x0-02; 0-15x0-02. 



The polyp spicules are warty spindles, either straight, curbed, or sharply ])ent 

 at one end. Tliey are colourless, witli the exception of those composing the red 

 transverse band on the tentacles. The following measurements were taken of 

 length and l)readtli in millimetres : 



0-8x0-1; 0-8x0-08; 0-6x0-1; 0-2x0-03. 



The colour of the colony is yellowish-brown. 



