434 PROF. J. A. THOMSON AND MR. W. D. HENDERSON ON [Api\ 10, 



Family Telestid^. 



Telesto rupicola Mullei\ 



Under this species we have ranked three somewhat different 

 specimens. The first consists of a single axial polyp 141 mm. in 

 length, the lowest part of which is covered by a monaxonial 

 sponge through which the lateral polyps pi'otrude. The colour 

 of the living specimen was yellowish with white zooids. 



The axial polyp is 1*5 mm. in thickness near the point where 

 it emerges from the surrounding sponge, but at the tip it is only 

 0"75 mm. The latei-al polyps stand at regular intervals of about 

 6"5 mm. on all sides of the axial polyp ; their height varies from 

 4-4*5 mm. and their basal diameter is 1*1 mm. In the lateral 

 polyps the tentacles are 1*2 mm. in length and about 0'5 mm. in 

 breadth, with numerous pinnules, which have an annulated 

 appearance. On both sides of the base of each tentacle there 

 are two bands of spicules which extend down the anthocodial 

 part and join the spicules of the calyx. On the axial polyp and 

 on the lateral polyps thei'e are eight prominent ridges. 



This specimen approaches Telesto rupicola of Hickson & Hiles, 

 but there are some difierences : — 



(1) The tentacles of our specimen are longer. 



(2) Tlie ariangement of the lateral polyps is more i-egular. 



(3) It does not very closely resemble Hickson's figure (Willey's 

 Results, pi. 1. fig. 1). 



We note, however, the variability of Telesto rupicola as men- 

 tioned in Hickson's ' Alcyonaria of the Maldives,' pt. i. p. 482, 

 and also in the ' Challenger ' Reports, vol. xxxi. p. 262. 



In the second specimen the axial polyp is 2 mm. in thickness, 

 growing gradually less as it rises higher, and becoming TS mm. 

 near the tip. After treatment with caustic potash the hollow axis 

 is seen to be composed of two types of spicules, some long and 

 slender with few and slight piojections, the others short and 

 stout with numerous strong projections. The first type varies 

 from 0'45-0'63 mm. in length and from 0-02 to 0'028 mm. in 

 width; and the second from 0'15-0'2 mm. in length and from 

 0-02-0-028 mm. in width. 



The third specimen difteivs slightly fiom both the others, but it 

 also seems lefei'able to T. rihjiicola. 



Locality. Mr. Crossland notes : " By the kindness of Captain 

 Agnew, R.N.R., I accompanied the steamer sent to overhaul the 

 buoys and chains and found these specimens on the chains of 

 the buoy nearest Zanzibar to the south." 



Telesto arborea Wright & Studer. 



One of the specimens is dark in colour and consists of a few 

 axial polyps. From the axial polyps lateral polyps arise, and 

 among these there are some decidedly larger than the others, 

 which may be the beginnings of axial polyps of the second order. 



