Prof. J. A. Thomson atid Mr. G. Crane on 



Oi-der AXIFERA. 



Family Muriceid^ (4) Astromuricea stelHfera, sp. n. 



(5) Echinomuricea nliginosa, Thomson 

 and Simpson, var. tenerior, noT. 



Family GorGONID^ .... (6) Lophogorgia lidkem, Wright and 



Studer. 

 (7) Juncdla juncea, Pallas. 



Order STELECHOTOKEA, Section Pesnatulacea. 



Family V1RGULAEID.S . . (8) Virgularia rumphii, Kolliker. 



(1) Sclerophytum polydactylum (Ehrenberg) is a well- 

 known widespread species, previouslj reported from the Red 

 Sea, Maldives, Gulf of Manaar, China Sea, Zanzibar, British 

 New Guinea. It is characterized by the absence of siphono- 

 zooids, the small size of the autozooids, and the tough fleshy 

 texture. The specimens from the Gulf of Cutch were large, 

 the maximum dimensions being 5 cm. in height by 14 in 

 length and 8 in breadth. 



(2) Dendronephthjfa [Spongodes) dendrophyta (Wright and 

 Studer), a species of the flattened umbellate type in Kuken- 

 thal's dendrophyta group, previously recorded from Philip- 

 pines and China Sea. It is represented by looselv branched 

 and close-set types of polyparium, as figured by Wright and 

 Studer and by Kiikenthal respectively ; the anthocodi^ show 

 the characteristic eight double rows of curved spicules, 4 or 5 

 in each row ; a trivial feature, noted by Wright and Studer, 

 namely the occurrence of numerous superficial x -shaped 

 spicules on the branches, is very marked. The specimens 

 were collected in the month of December, and they show 

 abundant reproductive bodies — probably sperm-sacs — up to 

 0*25 mm. in diameter, attached to the mesenteric bands far 

 below the polyp-stalks. Some specimens show a few small 

 polyp-bearing twigs on the top of the stalk below the foliate 

 branches. 



(3) Dendronephthya (Spongodes) hreviravia (Burckhardf), 

 a species of the flattened umbellate type in Kiikenthal's 

 forida group, previously recorded from China Sea and Torres 

 Strait. A peculiarly fine specimen has a polyparium 12-5 cm. 

 in height, with diameters of 10-5 cm. and Dcm., with a very 

 short stalk 1 cm. in height, and root-like attachments of 

 about 6 cm. The anthocodiaj show the characteristic eight 

 double rows of spindles in chevron, with 5-7 in each row, 



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