280 CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



millimetres, as follows : I'O 5 X 0'56 ; 0'55 X 0'06 ; 073 X 0'04 ; and 0'47 X 0'05. 

 The longest reach a length of 17 millims., 1*6 millims., and 1'5 millims. 



The specimens differ markedly from all the previously described species of this large 

 and difficult genus. 



Locality : Station LXVI., off Mutwal Island, 10 to 35 fathoms ; Cheval Paar, 

 Gulf of Manaar. 



Spongodes bicolor, WRIGHT and STUDEE. 



This species is represented by a fairly large complete colony, which consists of a 

 short trunk and a long head, formed by a large number of branches given off on all 

 sides. The base is formed of numerous rhizoid-like offshoots, which are attached to 

 grains of sand, to sponge spicules, and to particles of shells. 



The stem is soft and flaccid, and gives off flabby branches on all sides. The majority 

 of the lower branches are flattened, the flattening taking place not from above 

 downwards but from side to side. 



The stem and branches have thin semi-transparent walls with numerous fine 

 spicules scattered all over, some of them projecting so as to give the surface a 

 pubescent appearance. The measurements of the polyps and of the spicules agree 

 with those given by WRIGHT and STUDER (1889). 



Locality : Deep water off Galle. 



Spongodes bicolor, WRIGHT and STUDER, var. ceylonensis, n. 



The trunk of this specimen is very short, and does not seem to be distinctly marked 

 off from the stem except in the spiculation. 



Small branches are found coming off to within a few millimetres of the lower end of 

 the trunk. The spicules are more distinct in the stem and give a net-like appearance 

 to its surface, while the surface of the trunk is granular. 



Two of the lower branches are flattened from above downwards and nearly surround 

 the stem, but just below the two spaces left between them there are two ordinary 

 branches. 



The polyps are red, with white tentacles, and a " Stiitzbimdel " spicule projects 

 behind each polyp. 



The colour of the trunk, stem, and branches is a yellowish-white, that of the polyps 

 and twigs being red ; the lower part of the twig may be yellowish. 



This form differs from Spongodes bicolor in several respects, but yet comes very 

 near it. 



Spongodes bicolor, WRIGHT and STUDER, var. dubia, n. Plate V., fig. 13. 



Another variety is represented by a specimen measuring 71 millims. in height and 

 61 millims. in maximum breadth. It may be a portion of a larger colony or an entire 

 colony in which the base is wanting. 



