308 CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



The axis is black in colour and seems to be non-calcareous. It measures 2 millims. 

 in breadth at the base, soon expands to 4 millims., and then narrows again. It is 

 markedly flattened. Towards the ends of the branches, which measure about 3 millims. 

 in greatest breadth, the axis is thread-like, brown in colour, and very flexible. The 

 coenenchyma is thick, its texture recalls that of Iciligorgia ; several sections through 

 a branch showed three large longitudinal canals symmetrically disposed close round 

 the axis. 



The spicules are broad spindles, 0'2 millim. by O'l millim. ; narrow spindles ; clubs ; 

 and double clubs. 



Locality : Pearl banks, "Quit of Manaar. 



Leptogorgia australiensis, RIDLEY, var. flavotincta. Plate IV., fig. 10. 



This species is represented by numerous complete specimens, which differ considerably 

 in size, the largest being 154 millims. in height and 130 millims. in maximum breadth. 

 In all the specimens the coenenchyma is rubbed off near the base, thus exposing the 

 axis to view. The axis rises from a flat spreading basal portion, it is black in colour 

 and slightly oval in shape, measuring 2 '2 millims. in diameter at the base, but 

 becoming lighter in colour and thread-like in form in the tips of the branches and in 

 the pinnae. It is horny in texture and very tough. The branching is confined to one 

 plane, and each of the branches has a pinnate appearance. On the main stem and 

 branches there is a distinct groove running up both the surfaces, thus dividing 

 the polyp-bearing part into two lateral bands. In some parts it seems as if the 

 groove had disappeared and left a ridge in its place. Some of the specimens 

 show galls. 



The verrucse are arranged on the two lateral faces of the branches and the pinnae 

 in two alternating rows. They are scarcely elevated above the level of the general 

 coenenchyma, and their openings are slit-like in shape, the slit running parallel to the 

 long axis of the branch. 



In every respect the specimens agree with the description given by RIDLEY (1884). 

 The spicules in the present specimens seem on the whole to be smaller than those 

 measured by RIDLEY either for the species itself or for any of the varieties, varying, 

 as they do, from 0'09 millim. to 0'16 millim. in length, and from 0'04 millim. to 

 0'05 millim. in breadth. Few of the spicules, however, attain the latter dimension 

 in breadth. 



The colour of the specimen, not agreeing exactly with any of the colours given 

 for the species, may be best described as deep crimson. The yellow verrucas stand 

 out conspicuously in the younger branches, and also in two young colonies (Station I.) 

 30 millims. in height. 



Localities: Cheval Paar, Gulf of Manaar ; Station I., off Negombo, 12 to 20 fathoms; 

 deep water off Galle and onwards to Colombo. 



Previously recorded from Torres Straits (see RIDLEY, 1884, p. 342, Plate 36). 



