514 MB. E. W. SIIANN ON 



NEPnTHYA BEDFORDI, sp. n, (PI. LXII. fig. 8 ; PI. LXIII. 

 figs. 11, 12.) 



Two specimens which, while confoi-ming with the characters 

 described above for the genus Neplithya^ fail to agree in detail 

 with any of the large number of forms hitherto described, have 

 necessitated the creation of a new species of this genus. 



The colony (fig. 8) is bilaterally compressed, the growth is 

 bushy, and the major diameter of the capitulum is approximately 

 equal to the total height, including the stem. The consistency 

 is tough and leathery. The stem, which shows signs of bilateral 

 compression, is short, and gives rise at its distal extremity to a 

 variable number of main branches. These main branches are 

 again divided into unequal secondary branches. From both 

 main and secondary branches spi'ing the short terminal lobes. 

 The latter are conical in shape, but rounded ; on them the 

 anthocodipe are tolerably evenly distributed. As the polyps are 

 situated very close together, and the terminal lobes are ex- 

 ceedingly numerous, the whole capitulum appears to be covered 

 with anthocodia3. The polyp-heads when at rest make a.n acute 

 angle with their stalks. The latter scarcely protrude from the 

 colony, with the result that the polyp-heads are very closely 

 apposed to the surface from which they ai'ise. 



Colour in alcohol cinder-grey, polyps brown. 



Locality : below low-tide mark, Blakang Mati. 



Detailed measurements: — 



'Region measured. Specimen T. Specimen II. 



Total height 60 mm. 42 mm. 



Height of stem 17 mm. 14 mm. 



Diameter of stem 18 X 10 mm. 12 x 10 mm. 



Height of capitulum 43 mm. 28 mm. 



Breadth of capitulum 52 x 20 mm. 45 x 20 mm. 



In both specimens the length of the terminal lobes is about 

 4 mm., but the variation in this respect is between 3 and 

 6 iiHTi. The diameter of the terminal lobes is from 3 to 4 mm. 

 The edges of adjacent polyps are seldom more than '175 mm. 

 apart. The polyp-heads have an average length of 1"1 mm. and 

 diameter of "6 mm. 



The spicules show a wide range in size and shape. The 

 smallest forms are found in the tentacles, where they are 

 arranged in no very definite order, but for the most part lie at 

 an acute angle with the axis of the tentacle. The tentacle- 

 spicules are minute spiny spindles, some of which are straight, 

 others crescentic. The polyp-spicules (fig. 11,/) are very bi'ittle, 

 longitvidinally striated spindles. They are straight or curved, 

 and usually smooth, but sometimes bear a few minute spines. 

 It is difllcult in most cases to discei-n an arrangement of the 

 polyp-spicules en chevron, but some of the polyps show such a 

 condition more cleai'ly than others. 



