ALCYONARIA. 301 



Acis orientalis, RIDLEY. 



This species is represented by three complete specimens, of which the largest 

 measures 136 millims. in height by 86 millims. in maximum breadth. The specimens 

 agree with the description given by RIDLEY [1882 (II.), pp. 126-128]. 



The terminal branches reach a length of 45 millims. to 50 millims., and the tips of 

 the branches and twigs are clavate, measuring 3 '5 millims. to 4 millims. in diameter, 

 and are occupied by three polyps. 



The axis measures 3 millims. at the base, but in branches which have a diameter of 

 2'6 millims. it measures only 0'5 millim. or 0'45 millim. in diameter. 



The spicular measurements agree very closely with those given by RIDLEY (1882), 

 the differences being so slight as not to be of any importance. We may perhaps, 

 having found other Ceylonese species of Acis, quote RIDLEY'S note : " The occurrence 

 of this otherwise West-Indian genus in the Indian Ocean, and in its western portion 

 in particular, has a peculiar significance for the student of geology, as showing that 

 a communication probably existed between these two areas at a period later than 

 that at which the genus was differentiated from the main stem of the family." 



Locality : Deep water off Galle. 



Previously recorded from Mauritius, 80 fathoms. 



Muricella ramosa, n. sp. Plate III., figs. 2 and 3. 



The colony is branched in one plane, and forms a beautiful network with abundant 

 anastomoses. The branches and twigs are given off, sometimes opposite, sometimes 

 alternate, at an angle which varies little from a right angle. One of the specimens, 

 though not complete, measures 170 millims. in height and 273 millims. in maximum 

 width. 



The axis is black in colour in the lower part, but becomes brownish-yellow in the 

 tips of the branches and in the twigs. It is rather irregular in shape, being some- 

 what oval shaped, the longer diameter being at one place in the plane of branching, 

 at another place at right angles thereto. The general coenenchyma is thin and 

 practically composed of warty spindles which may be either straight, curved, or 

 slightly S-shaped. 



The verrucse are small and vary greatly in appearance. A number of spicules 

 horizontally arranged form the lower part of the verruca, and a number of longi- 

 tudinally disposed spicules form the upper part. The appearance of the upper set of 

 spicules varies according to the stage of retraction of the anthocodial part of the 

 polyp. The spicules composing the verrucse do not differ from those of the general 

 coanenchyma except in size. They are smaller, but are as closely covered with warts 

 as the other spicules. 



The polyps are arranged on the stem and branches in what appear to be short 

 spirals, but on some of the twigs they assume a more or less bilateral disposition. 



The spicules are thick spindles, either straight or curved, or slightly S-shaped, 



