CARTOPHTLLIACEA. CAPNEAD^ 



THE CRIMSON IMPERIAL. 

 Aureliania augusta. 



(Sp. nov.) 

 Plate IX. Fig. 11. 

 Specific Character. Column rising from a widely expanded base : crimson. 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

 Form. 



Base. Adherent to rocks ; greatly expanded ; the outline undulate. 



Column. A low, thick pillar, springing gradually from the broad base 

 like the trunk of a tree; the margin forming a thick and prominent 

 parapet, the inner edge of which is crenate ; and separated from the ten- 

 tacles by a narrow and shallow fosse. Surface smooth, entirely invested 

 with a soft, woolly, firm, thin epidermis (which fell off in patches 

 soon after capture, and was not renewed). Substance firmly fleshy ; 

 opaque. 



Disk. Somewhat elliptical, entire, flat or slightly convex ; radii fine 

 but distinct. 



Tentacles. In four rows, the outer row containing 42 ; very short, 

 knobbed ; the knobs agreeing in form with those of the following species. 

 Disk and tentacles freely and completely retractile. 



ifouth. Slit-like, slightly furrowed. 



Colotjb. 



Column. Rich crimson, splashed with deeper crimson, and with pale 

 yellowish. Epidermis dark olive-brown. 

 Dish. Light crimson. 



Tentacles. Rosy white, with opaque white tips. 

 Mouth. Deep crimson. 



Size. 



Diameter of base two inches and three-quarters : of disk rather more 

 than an inch ; height from one to one and three-quarters. 



Locality. 

 North Devon : low water. 



