292 CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



primary branches arise from the stem in one plane. The arrangement of the branches 

 gives the colony a bushy appearance. 



The specimen agrees closely with the description of JEchinomuricea indomcdaccensis 

 given by RIDLEY (1884). There are several differences, however, thus (1) the verrucse 

 in this specimen are fully twice as long as in RIDLEY'S, they measure 0'8 millim. 

 instead of 0'3 millim. in height ; (2) the verrucse spicules with ramifying basal portion 

 vary in this case from 07 millim. to 0'9 millim. in length instead of a maximum 

 length of 0'65, as given by RIDLEY. For discussion of four known species, see 

 HEDLUND (1890), pp. 14 and 15. 



Locality : Pearl banks, Gulf of Manaar. 



Previously recorded from Port Curtis, 5 fathoms to 1 1 fathoms ; Port Molle. 

 12 fathoms to 20 fathoms ; Warrior Reef, Torres Straits, Australia. 



Echinomuricea ceylonensis, n. sp. Plate VI., fig. 6. 



Colony much branched in one plane, 11 centims. in height by the same in breadth 

 at its broadest part. The colour is reddish-chocolate to crimson. The polyps may 

 occur all round the branches, but in one specimen they are absent from the concave 

 side of the plane of ramification. There is no regularity in the manner in which the 

 branches arise from the stem. The verrucas, which project almost at right angles, 

 are about 1 millim. in height. The whole surface of the verrucse and of the 

 branches is rough with the sharp projecting points of crimson spicules, which are 

 sometimes imbricating. Within the verruca cup there , is a distinct special cone of 

 tapering spicules forming an opercular covering. The polyps are entii'ely retracted. 

 The horny axis is almost black at the base, about 1 millim. in breadth ; it tapers 

 to a breadth of 0'35 millim. near the tips of the twigs, where it shows a horny 

 yellow colour. The coenenchyma is relatively thin. The following types of spicule 

 occur : 



(a) Numerous roughly triradiate forms, with a usually tuberculate main spine and 

 with irregular foliaceous and ramifying expansions connecting the two other rays ; 

 0'3 millim. to 0'5 millim. in length by 0'275 millim. to 0'3 millim. in breadth at base 

 are common measurements ; (&) irregular approximately stellate forms ; and (c) curved 

 spindles and boomerangs bearing a few tubercles and spines and sometimes forked or 

 irregularly trifid at one end. 



Locality : West of Periya Paar. 



Echinogorgia pseudosassapo, KOLLIKEK. 



A single specimen of a crimson-red colour. It rises from a spreading base, aboiit 

 15 millims. by 5 millims., and consists of two branches, about 50 millims. and 

 20 millims. in height. The longer branch gives off a branch at its base and another 

 a third of the way up ; the shorter branch gives off a branch near its end. The 

 diameter varies from 2 millims. to 3 millims. It is probably a young specimen. 



The surface is very rough owing to the sharp projecting points of the large spicules. 



