Part [1.—Stichodactyline and Zoanthec. 141 
Water was freely emitted through the tubercles when the animal was com- 
pressed in collecting, though it may be doubted if this occurs naturally. The 
peristome is slightly raised, and the gonidial grooves are well-marked, the two 
lips being thicker and lighter than the rest of the stomodeeal walls. 
The polyps possess very limited powers of retraction; the disc and tentacles 
are not infolded. 
The colours are very variable, partly dependent upon the age of the specimens 
and whether the tentacles are smooth or bear thickened bands—but all gradations 
can be traced in an abundant series. The prevailing disc colours are brown and 
green, often iridescent, with opaque white spots and blotches; those of the column 
are scarlet and crimson on a white or cream ground. 
The base is white, or may exhibit bright, radiating scarlet bands. The column 
is usually cream white, with irregular, longitudinal patches of scarlet; the verrucze 
display a very pronounced deep crimson centre. The column-wall is light grey 
in young specimens, darker above. In these small forms the tentacles are also 
greyish, the thickenings appearing as transverse white bands. The concave, outer 
aspect of the tentacles is white, and a V-shaped white patch, with the angle open, 
occurs at the base. In some the thickenings are of the same brown colour as the 
tentacle itself. The smooth tentacles are brown or reddish brown, with light 
crimson tips, and three longitudinal lighter lines traverse the whole length. 
The disc bears white, green, and blackish patches; a black or brown radial 
patch occurs at the inner aspect of the base of each of the primary tentacles, and 
two towards the base of the four next cycles. The peristome is usually iridescent 
ereen. 
The dimensions are likewise very variable according to age. Many young 
specimens were collected, in which the length of the column was only 1:1 cm., 
and the diameter, 0°8 em. When extended the disc is about 5°5 cm. across in 
large examples, but may be as much as 9 cm.; the length of the column is 
generally about 6 cm.; the diameter across the middle, 1°7 cm., and across the 
base, 2°5. The innermost tentacles measure 0°7 cm. in length. 
The figure of this species given by Professor M Murrich (1889, PI. 11., fig. 1), 
represents the more usual appearances of the Jamaican specimens, and I have not 
considered it necessary to add another. The marginal tentacles should, however, 
be compared with that on Pl. x. of the present paper. 
ANAToMY AND HIsToLoGy. 
The ectoderm of the base is a very deep, columnar epithelium, much broader 
than either of the two other layers, and, in sections, is thrown into strong folds, 
partly followed by the mesoglea. Long, narrow, supporting cells are 
TRANS, ROY. DUB. soc., N.S. VOL. Vil., PART VI, nya 
