85 



Telesto rubra, Hickson. 



A small but complete specimen, 38 mm. in liei^lit. The base is formed by a 

 flat spreading portion, which is attached to a piece of weathered rock. 



There is a single branch given off' at a distance of 34 mm. from the base. 



The polyps, 2 '5 mm. in height, arise at right angles to the stem, and are 

 arranged on the four sides in such a way that they seem to form a spiral. Nearer 

 the tip the polyps on opposite sides are almost at the same level. 



After repeated treatment with boiling caustic potash the stem retains its 

 form, and the polyp-walls remain quite intact. 



The specimen agrees with T. rubra in the ridges on the stem, in the minute 

 quantity of horny matter, and so on. 



To this species we also refer another fragment 2 '5 mm. in length. It is 

 simple and unbranched, and has polyp calyces about 2 mm. in height. 



Locality : Andamans ; 120 fathoms. 



This species has been previously recorded by Hickson from the Maldives : 

 Mulaku Atoll, 25 fathoms ; Mahlos Atoll, 23 fathoms ; and by us from 

 Trincomalee. 



SECTION PENNATULACEA. 

 Family PROTOCAVLIDJE. 



Protocaulon indicum, n. sp. Plate VII. figs. 3 and 7. 



This species is represented by three complete specimens, 30, 44, and 46 mm. 

 in height. 



The stalk is about 14 mm. in length, and is very delicate. It has a spindle- 

 shaped swelling just below the beginning of the rachis. 



The rachis is long, and the polyps are placed opposite in a single row on each 

 side. They are about 5 mm. in height ; broad at the base, gradually narrowing, 

 and then slightly enlarging again at the oral end. The tentacles are long and 

 slender, with one row of pinnules on each side. Above their origin the oral surface 

 of the polyp is swollen so that it projects a little. In the larger polyps the lower 

 portion is filled with reproductive bodies. 



The axis is thin, very calcareous, and quadrangular in section, each side show- 

 ing a hollow groove. Near the lower end of the rachis in the largest specimen the 

 axis is 0'25 mm. in diameter. 



In the largest specimen the tip of the rachis is not occupied by a polyp, but 

 just below the tip a polyp arises at right angles to the plane of the others. In a 

 younger specimen two polyps occur below the tip. 



Spicules are absent. 



