12 



point spicules, the point spicules being arranged en chevron and not in a fan- 

 xli'iped manner. 



The measurements of the spicules are as follows : 



Point spicules, 0-35x0-025 ; 0'3x0'03; 0'3x0'025; 0-2x0'02. 

 Crown spicules, O'Gx 0-035; 0-5x01)28; 0-4x01)3; 0'3xOD2. 



On the aboral surface of the tentacles there are numerous small spicules 

 arranged in Vs. Their average length is 0'08 mm., and their average breadth 

 0-012. 



Locality: Bay of Bengal; 88 fathoms. Previously recorded from the 

 Maldives (Hickson) ; Ceylon (Thomson and Henderson, 1905). 



Chironephthya macrospiculata. n. sp. Plate IV. fig. 10. 



This species is represented by a single colony about 5 cms. in height. 



From the flat spreading base two stems arise which are fused together for a 

 short distance. The larger gives off a lateral branch at a point nearly half-way up. 

 The colony presents a very rough appearance owing to the huge spicules which 

 form a loose covering over the stems and branch. The spaces left between 

 the large spicules are filled by minute spicules which are either colourless or 

 red. 



The polyps arise all round the stems and branch, and are supported by small 

 platform-shaped calyces formed by several spieules placed side by side. In the 

 polyps the spicules are arranged in crown and points. The crown consists of three 

 rows, and in the points the spicules are arranged en chevron. In each point there 

 are two principal spicules slightly inclined to one another, and two smaller spicules 

 in the angle between these. Two pairs lie in the space between two adjacent 

 points. On the aboral surface of each tentacle there is a band of spicules arranged 

 longitudinally or in Vs, with the apices of the Vs directed towards the distal 

 end of the tentacle. The spicules of this band are white, except for a narrow trans- 

 verse portion about half-way up iii which the spicules are a bright red. 



The spicules of the coeneucliyma are warty or spiny spindles, straight or 

 slightly twisted, coloured or colourless. The following measurements were taken 

 of length and breadth in millimetres : 



1. Uncoloured, 8-3x0-9; 5'2x0'9; 3'9x0'6; l'4xO-22; 0'8x0'12. 



2. Coloured, 0-3x0-04; 0'2x0'02; 0'15x0'02. 



The polyp spicules are warty spindles, either straight, curved, or sharply bent 

 at one end. They are colourless, with the exception of those composing the red 

 transverse band on the tentacles. The following measurements were taken of 

 length and breadth in millimetres : 



0-8x0-1; O'SxO-08; 0'GxO'l ; 0'2xOD3. 



The colour of the colony is yellowish-brown. 



