22 



deeply-laciniate leaves, two of which namely those at either end of the major 

 axis are thin almost horizontal wing-like expansions formed of a principal 

 septum and its corresponding thin foliaceous costa (the " lateral " costae). 



The two faces of the corallum are quite flat (that is, not in any way 

 curved) and each is traversed by five broad low costas, corresponding with the 

 septa of the first two cycles, between which are the less distinct costse of the 

 third and, sometimes, of the fourth cycles. The costse and the spaces between 

 them are regularly marked with ripple-like growth -lines. 



The septa are in six systems and four complete cycles, with an incomplete 

 and inconspicuous fifth. Those of the first two cycles are pre-eminently large 

 and, with those of the fourth cycle, form the jagged middle lobes of the twelve 

 leaves above-mentioned. Those of the third cycle are much larger than those 

 of the fourth but are not nearly so far exsert. The surfaces of the septa are 

 much wrinkled or cockled, the convexities of the wrinkles being finely spicu- 

 lar. 



The columella, such as it is, is formed by the fusion, in the very bottom of 

 the calicle, of the first three systems of septa. 



The fresh corallum, like the living polyp, is of a dark madder colour, but 

 the dry corallum fades. 



This species is one of the common inhabitants of the Indian Seas at depths 

 of 400 to 600 fms. We have dredged it in the Andaman Sea, at several places 

 in the Bay of Bengal, and at several places in the Laccadive Sea. It appears 

 to prefer soft muddy bottoms. 



As the late Professor Martin Duncan remarked, the corallum is so fragile 

 that it is sometimes broken by the postmortem contraction of the soft parts. 

 Dr. A. R. Anderson, the present Surgeon-Naturalist with the " Investigator," 

 has, however, had the good fortune to dredge some perfect specimens, one of 

 which is now figured. 



I have carefully compared our specimens with the original figures and 

 description of Philippi and with Seguenza's figures, and I feel no doubt about 

 the identity of our species with theirs. But I do not feel the same certainty 

 with regard to Martin Duncan's figures. 



In the synonomy of this species Vlocyathus arcticus Sars (" Reise i 

 Lofodden, p. 21 ; and Faun. Lit. Norv. 2 heft 1856, p. 73, pi. x. figs. 8-27 ") is 

 included by Martin Duncan and Lindstrom : I have not seen the papers 

 referred to. Lindstrom also includes (1) Flabellum MacAndrewi Gray (P. Z. 

 S. 1849, p. 75, Radiata, pi. ii. fig. 11) which is founded on fragments the figures 

 of which are insufficient for comparison, and (2) Flabellum alabastrum, Moseley 

 (" Challenger " Deep Sea Madreporaria, p. 169, pi. vii. figs. 1, la-b, 2, 2-6, 

 and pi. xvi. fig. 11). I can only say that I have examined a large number of 



