252 CEYLON PEAKL OYSTER REPORT. 



Sarcophytum plicatum, SCHENK (1896). 



Two moderately large colonies of a pinkish-brown colour were taken from 

 Station XXII., 13 fathoms, in Dutch Bay, near Trincomalee. 



This species has previously only been recorded from Ternate, but in the zoological 

 laboratories of the Victoria University are two specimens, one taken by Professor 

 HICKSON in North Celebes and the other taken by Mr. J. STANLEY GAEDINER at 

 Funafuti (Ellice Islands). The latter has been identified by Miss HILES. This species 

 therefore appears to have a ve,ry wide distribution within the tropical belt. 



Sarcophytum ehrenbergi, MARENZELLEK (1886). 



One large and complete specimen was taken on the reef at Galle. 



The colony is 50 millims. high, and the capitulum measures 245 millims. by 

 215 millims. across its surface. The capitular margin is thrown into deep folds. 



The specimen is of a dark grey colour, but towards the middle of the capitulum it 

 assumes a lighter shade. 



The species has previously been recorded from the Red Sea and from the Maldive 

 Islands (see PRATT, 1903). 



Lobophytum hedleyi, WHITELEGGE (1897). 



A single complete specimen and a fragment were taken from the reef at Galle ; 

 these agree with specimens from Funafuti in all essential respects, and only differ 

 slightly in external form. The complete specimen is short and squat, and is 

 75 millims. high. The capitulum measures 136 millims. by 115 millims. across its 

 surface. It has a fairly broad marginal seam, and is deeply concave in the middle ; the 

 lobes are arranged in fairly regular radiating lines from the middle of the capitulum, 

 and vary in height from 36 millims. to 53 millims. The colony is hard and smooth, 

 the stalk is here and there marked by wrinkles. The specimens in spirit are of a 

 dirty greenish-grey colour with brownish patches. The autozooids are contracted, 

 but in sections are seen to be of a paler shade of grey than the prevailing tint. 

 They are relatively few in number, but are more abundant on the summits of the 

 lobes, where they are from 1 millim. to 2 millims. apart, than in the furrows between 

 the lobes, where they are separated from each other by wide intervals. 



The average diameter of a contracted crown of tentacles is about 1 millim. Owin^ 

 to their extreme contraction it is impossible to distinguish their pinnules. The 

 stomodaeum appears to be longer than in the species L. pauciflorum or L. wassum, 

 but the walls are folded in such a manner that it is impossible to measure the 

 actual length. The mesenteries and mesenterial filaments do not apparently differ 

 from those of other species. Ova, exhibiting several stages of development, are 

 present on the mesenteries of the autozooids. They are from 0'08 millim. to 

 0'2 millim. in diameter, and each is enveloped in a follicle which, in the largest ova, 

 is ()(>:', millim. in thickness. 



