60 



Paramuricea indica, n. sp. Plate III. fig. 3 ; Plate IX. fig. 20. 



This species is represented by a single specimen, which consists of two stalks 

 rising from a tubular basal portion. The stalks are simple, except that one gives 

 off a branch at right angles which terminates in a slight club-shaped ending formed 

 by three diverging polyps. 



The axis, dark brown on the outside, with a lighter core, is about 1 mm. in 

 diameter at the base. It is purely horny, showing no trace of effervescence when 

 treated with acid. The verrucse arise from three surfaces of the stem, and are so 

 arranged that the verrucse of one row alternate with those of the other rows. They 

 are bluntly conical in shape, and have their spicules irregularly arranged. 



The polyps are almost completely retracted, but in several cases the tentacles 

 form a dome-shaped projection above the mouth of the calyx. The tentacles are 

 well protected by spicules arranged as a crown with points. There are three to 

 four rows on the crown. The lower portion of the polyps contain ova and 

 embryos. 



The single branch and the two stems end in blunt points round which three 

 divergently projecting polyps are arranged. 



The surface of the whole specimen is rough, with projecting spicules. 



The following measurements were taken of the length and breadth of the 

 spicules in millimetres : 



1. Spindles, either straight or curved, with prominent rough warts, O'GxO'l ; 



0-5x0'12; 0-41x0-12; 0'35x0'08; O'SxO'OG. 



2. Tri-, quadri-, and sex-radiate forms : 



Triradiate, 0-4x0-2; 0'3x0'2; 0'25x0'2. 



Quadriradiate, 0-4x0-15; 0'4x0'3; 0'35x0'17; 0'25x0'15. 



Sexradiate, 0-45x0-18 ; 0'3x0'2; 0'3x0'12. 



3. Irregular forms, many of which may be regarded as spindles, with a foliar 



expansion on one side : 



0'6 mm. in length with foliar expansion length by breadth in mm. 0'12x0'12. 

 0-5 mm. 0-16x0-08. 



0-5 mm. ,, 0-14x0-07. 



0-3 mm. 0-14x0-06. 



This species is nearest P. csquatorialis, but the anthocodial armature is much 

 less elaborate, and the spicules differ in detail. 

 Locality : Andamans ; 265 fathoms. 



