GOLD MADREPORE. 401 



scarlet in adults, especially when contracted, for dis- 

 tension not only pales the hue, but causes the yellow 

 element to be more apparent. The tentacles, about 

 fifty in number, in my largest specimens, are of a fine 

 gamboge-yellow. They are not terminated by a 

 globose head, but are conical and obtusely pointed. 

 When closely examined, indeed, the representative of 

 the globular head may be recognised in the smooth 

 rounded point, but it is not larger than the parts 

 below, nor is it preceded by any constriction, nor dis- 

 tinguished from the other parts by its colour. Under 

 a microscope the tentacle is seen to be diaphanous 

 and colourless, but studded, like those of C. Smitkii, 

 with transversely oblong warts, which have a tendency 

 to run in oblique lines ; these warts give the colour, 

 being of a fine yellow ; and the rounded extremity of 

 the tentacle is composed of a number of these warts 

 aggregated into one. The tentacles are proportionally 

 much larger than in C. Smitkii, and fewer. 



The animal is smaller than C. Sniithii, the largest 

 specimens I have seen being about J inch in diameter 

 in the body, and rather more than \ inch when the 

 tentacles are expanded. All that I have seen are 

 circular in outline, and not oval, which is the most 

 common form of Smithii. The plates are never visi- 

 ble, in any degree of contraction, the red flesh lying 

 as a thick cushion over them, even when all the ten- 

 tacles are withdrawn. 



The mouth protrudes in the form of a high conical 

 proboscis ; this, though of course subject to some 

 valuation in form, appears highly characteristic of the 

 species. The orifice is small, of the common colour. 



