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



Family TELESTiDiE. 



Telesto rupioola Miiller. 



Under this species we have ranked three someAvhat difterent 

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

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

 sponge thi'ough which the lateral polyps protrude. 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 

 ()"75 mm. Tlie lateral 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 lengtli and about 0*5 mm. in 

 bieadth, with numei'ous pinnviles, which have an annulated 

 appeai-ance. On both sides of the base of each tentacle there 

 are two bands of spicules which extend down the anthocodial 

 part ;ind join the spicides of the calyx. On the axial polyp and 

 on the latei-al polyps there are eight prominent ridges. 



This specimen approaches Telesto rujncola of Hickson & Hiles, 

 but there are some differences : — 



(1) The tentacles of our specimen are longer. 



(2) The arrangement of the lateral polyps is more I'egular. 



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

 Residts, 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 highei-, and l)ecoming 1*5 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 projections, the others shoi't and 

 stout with niimei'ous strong projections. The first type varies 

 from U-45-0*r)3 mm. in length and from 0'02 to 0"028 mm. in 

 width ; and the second from 0'15 0*2 nun. in length and from 

 0-02()-()28 nnn. in width. 



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

 also seems i-eferable to T. rupicola. 



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 aiise, and 

 among these there are some deciiledl}' largei- than the others, 

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



