172 PERCY SLADEN TEUST EXPEDITION. 



Family XeniidsB. 



Genus XENIA. 



8. Xenia umbellata, Savigay. 



Por descriptions see : — 



Klunzinger : Koralltliiere des Rothen Meeres^ 1877, p. 39, pi. 3. fig. 3. 

 Bourne : PLil. Trans, vol. clxxxvi. 1895, p. 475, pi. 11. fig. 11, pi. 12. fig. 12. 

 May : Jenaische Zeitschr. Naturwiss. xxxiii. 1899, p. 82. 

 Ashn-orth : Willey's Zool. Results, pt. iv. p. 513, pi. 53. figs. 10-13. 

 Thomson and Henderson : Proc. Zool. Soc. 1906, p. 410. 



A large number of specimens are referable to this wide-spread species, which seems 

 to be very variable as regards the dimensions of the polyps (5-25 mm.), the number of 

 rows of pinnules (2-4), the length of the pinnules, and the extent to which the middle 

 line of the tentacle is bare. 



Localities. Egmont, reef; Diego Garcia, 9 fms. ; Salomon, 10-15 fms. ; Coin, Peros. 



Previously recorded from Red Sea, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Diego Garcia, New 

 Britain, &c. 



Genus CESPITULARIA. 



9. Cespitularia fceniata, May. (Plate 12. fig. 9.) 

 Por description see : — 



IMay : Jenaische Zeitschr. Naturwiss. xxxiii. 1899, p. 89, pi. 1. fig. 9. 



If the colour of an Alcyonarian counts for little, we may refer several brilliant 

 pinkish-red specimens in this collection to May's Cespitularia tceniata. They agree 

 well with the diagnosis, which is in the following terms : — Pinnules in one row on each 

 side of the middle line of the tentacles. Polyps (without the tentacles) 2 mm. long, 

 tentacles 1*5 mm. long. No spicules. 



The largest specimen measures 4-5 cm. in height by 4 cm. in breadth ; its general 

 appearance is plain from the figure. 



The polyps are on an average about 2 mm. in length, to which has to be added 

 about l'5-2 mm. for the tentacles. The stiff and somewhat truncated appearance of 

 the tentacles is curious. There are about 8 short pinnules on each side of the oral 

 surface. No trace of spicules could be found. 



A smaller specimen (3 cm. xl"5 cm.), showing the polyps well expanded, is of a deep 

 cream-colour, in spirit. 



Whether the genus Cespitularia is distinct from Xenia is a matter of opinion, but 

 considei'ing the number of species of Xenia, we think it is useful to have a separate 

 genus — Cespitularia — for those in which the polyps arise at various levels on the 

 trunk. 



Locality. Cargados Carajos, 20-25 fms., 30 fms. 



Previously recorded from Mozambique. 



