514 MR. E. W. SHANN ON 



NEPnTnYA BEDFORDi, sp. 11. (PI. LXII. fig. 8 ; PL LXIII. 

 figs. 11, 12.) 



Two specimens which, while conforming with the characters 

 described above for the genus Nephthya, fail to ngree in detail 

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

 necessitated the creation of a new species of this gemxs. 



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

 bushy, and the mnjor 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 uneqiial secondary branches. From both 

 main and secondary branches spring the short terminal lobes. 

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

 anthocodijs 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 anthocodife. The polyp-heads when at rest make an 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 arise. 



Colour in alcohol cinder-grey, polyps brown. 



Locality : below low-tide mark, Blakang Mati. 



Detailed measvirements : — 



Hegion 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 mm. 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 I'l 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 veiy 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,/) fii'e very brittle, 

 longitudinally striated spiiidles. They are straight or curved, 

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

 It is diificult in most cases to discern an arrangement of the 

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

 condition more clearlv than others. 



