HEXACTINI^ FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. 47 



removed by careful scraping under a dissecting microscope, but this 

 operation needs care, as small fragments are deeply embedded. Their 

 removal leaves exposed a roughened deeply pitted surface of spongy appear- 

 ance (Ph 5. fig. 10), and discloses at point of closure of the capituluni six 

 deep longitudinal ridges (PI. 5. fig. 9), which continue distally down fully 

 two-thirds of the inverted portion. Where the ridges cease, a circular 

 groove with deep folds in its surface (PI. 5. fig. 10, e.g.) runs round the 

 capituluni. Immediately below this spring out a large number of thin, naked, 

 nose-like projections, which completely close the entrance to the oral disc, 

 when, as here, the capitulum is inverted (PI. 5. fig. 10). These thin nose- 

 like projections are entirely fi'ee from b )th sand and mucus. The pedal 

 disc does not extend beyond the general body of the polyp, which reaches 

 its greatest width in the pedal region. The tentacles, short, blunt, and 

 marginal, are transversely grooved and number over 40 (PI. 5. fig. 10). 

 They are placed in several cycles which are difficult to distinguish. Those 

 in the innermost cycle are the longest, and measure 2*5 mm. ; the shortest 

 measure "5 mm. 



Colour. — Professor Hill states that the anemone was sand-coloured in life. 

 In spirit it is unchanged. 



Dimensions. — Somewhat irregular in shape ; narrower distally. Greatest 

 height 11*5 mm. ; greatest diameter 9 mm. ; diameter at capitulum 4'5 mm. 

 (PI. 5. fig. 9 a). 



Locality. — Collected by Professor Hill in 1894, on the Pacific Ocean 

 beach opposite Creel Bay, Broken Bay, New South Wales. 



I wish to associate with this species the name of Mr. E. T. Browne, the 

 well-known authority on raedusse, to whom I am indebted for kindly 

 assistance. 



Column-ioall (PI. 5. figs. 10 & 13). — The surface of the polyp is deeply 

 indented and covered below the sand-grains with a yellow mucous layer 

 in which numerous small foreign particles are embedded. I have not 

 been able to fully determine the presence of a cuticle, but the ectoderm is 

 badly preserved and has been much torn in scraping off" the sand. The 

 ectoderm of the capitulum contains numerous nematocysts present every- 

 where^ but occurring most abundantly in the soft nose-like projections. 

 The mesogloea is thick, finely fibrous, almost homogeneous^ and doubles its 

 width in the capitular region. It contains numerous isolated cells and small 

 lacunae. The endoderm is deep and deeply folded, especially in the capitulum. 

 Endodermal muscle on long plai tings of the mesogloea lines the coelenteron 

 throughout ; these muscle-plaitings are still further developed and become 

 slightly branched in the region of the proximal part of the sphincter fPl. 5, 

 fig. 10, end.m.). 



Sphincter (PI. 5. figs. 10 & 11). — The sphincter muscle, large, powerful 

 and mesogloeal, is peculiar in form. It recalls the double sphincter of 



