78 



2. Plate-like modification.s of the squamous type, with an eccentric nucleus 

 and with a large rough sjjiue projecting from one side. Their dimensions are : 

 07xO-r) ; 0-7 X 0-4 ; 0-5xO-;l 



Locality : Audamaus : 270-45 fathoms. 



Muricella bengalensis, n. sp. Plate I. fig. 8 ; Plate VIII. fig. 2. 



A specimen of a rose-red colour, 33 mm. in height. 



The colony is branched in one plane ; the branches are almost regularly 

 alternate. There is a Hat-spreading base, and just above it the stem takes a half-S 

 curve and then grows straight. The tips of the twigs ;ire occupied ])y two 

 divergent polyps. The axis is horny, with a faintly-striated surface, with a basal 

 diameter of about 1 mm. 



The polyps occur ou the two lateral surfaces of the stem and branches, and 

 are irregularly alternate. On the anthocodise the spicules are arranged at the 

 base of the tentacles in inverted Vs, each formed of two converging spicules with 

 their divergent bases resting on a transversely-placed spicule, which may have 

 another lying close beside it. On the aboral surface of the tentacles there is a 

 band of longitudinally arranged colourless S23icules, O'l— 0"15 in length by 

 0-02 in breadth. 



The verrucae are short and truncated (about T mm. in height), luiilt up of 

 spicules arranged on the whole longitudinally. Pound the apex there are projecting 

 tips of spicules. The general coeneuchyma is thick, and contains long warty 

 spindles either straight or curved, varying from transparency to pink and red. 

 The following measurements were taken of length and breadth in millimetres : 



2-8x0-3; 0-9x0-15; 0-36x0-07. 



Locality : Andamans ; 270-45 fathoms. 



Another specimen is a brilliant red colony, 70 mm. in height by 45 mm. 

 breadth, with a tendency to keep to one plane of branching. The polyps often 

 appear alternate, but they are actually in a steep spiral. 



The coenenchyma is covered with large, rather broad, irregular spindles, 

 covered with tuberculate warts. Some of them attain a length of over 2 mm. 

 and a breadth of 0"4 mm. 



The verrucse are steep truncate cones formed by similar but smaller spindles 

 arranged longitudinally. The apical margin of the verruca is irregularly interrupted 

 by the projecting ends of the spicules forming the wall. There is a tentacular 

 operculum formed of whitish spindles without much definiteness of arrangement. 



Localitv : Bay of Bengal ; 88 fsithoms. 



