ALCYONIIDJ5. 251 



differs chiefly in colour, form of spicules, in its abundance of autozooicls and paucity 

 of siphonozooids. 



Sarcophytum contortion, n. sp. Plate I., figs. 6 and 7. 



Two complete specimens and one fragment were taken from the reef at Galle. 



The largest specimen is 47 millims. high. The capitulum has a curiously lobed 

 appearance, somewhat resembling a Lobopfiylum. This is due to the growth inwards 

 of 8 more or less digitate marginal lobes (fig. G, c.m.l.). All the lobes arise from the 

 capitular margin and not from the upper surface of the capitulum as in LobopJiytum. 

 The convoluted character is not so strongly marked in the two other specimens of the 

 species. The capitulum measures 47 millims. by 35 millims. across its surface. The 

 lobes are somewhat flattened and rise slightly above the level of the true capitular 

 margin. They are from 18 millims. to 30 millims. long and are from 9 millims. 

 to 15 millims. broad at the base. The edges of the lobes curl upwards and slightly 

 inwards (fig. 6, c.m.l.). The stalk is 40 millims. high, tapers towards the base and is 

 drawn into furrows by the inward growth of the marginal lobes. Its surface is 

 minutely granular and is marked by few longitudinal wrinkles. 



The colony is in a state of extreme contraction, which may, to a certain extent, 

 account for the complication of the marginal folds. All the specimens (in spirit) are 

 of a pale fawn colour. They are hard to the touch, minutely granular, compact, 

 and are readily cut with a knife. 



The Autozooicls are very small, and as they are withdrawn some distance below the 

 surface, it is almost impossible to perceive their external apertures without the aid 

 of a lens. The average surface diameter of an autozooid cavity is 0'25 millim. 

 Autozooids are apparently more numerous in the margin of the capitulum and 

 capitular lobes than elsewhere. 



The tentacles, stomodseum and mesenteries with mesogloeal thickenings are 

 similar to those of other species. Ova in several stages of development are present 

 on many of the mesenteries, development proceeding from below upwards, as is usual 

 in these forms. In one instance two series, one a little distance below the other, 

 of developing ova were observed on one mesentary. 



The Siphonozooids cannot be seen without the aid of a lens. They are fairly 

 numerous, two or three may usually be counted between two autozooids. The 

 average surface diameter of a siphonozooid is 0'3 millim. The stomodeeum has an 

 average length of 0'18 millim. 



The canal system does not exhibit any specially noteworthy features. 



The Spicules are of the usual Sarcophytum type, and are extremely numerous. 

 They are from 0'3 millim. to 0'4 millim. in length, and from O'l millim. to 0'15 millim. 

 in breadth. Occasionally a club with a pointed handle may be seen (fig. 7B). 



This species is characterised by the curiously convoluted marginal lobes, the small 

 size of the zooids, the hardness and compact character of the colony. 



2 K 2 



