7. Anthozoa (incl. Hydrocorallia). A. Zoantharia. 25 



jourah [see Bericht f. 1910 Coel. p 30]. He gives an account of 64 species 

 of Madreporaria [see Bericht f. 1907 Coel. p 6 Vaughan( 1 )], notes the occur- 

 rence of Millepora 1 and Lithophytum 1, and describes the attacks of parasites 

 on Galaxea [see above], - - See also Gravier( 1 , 2 ). 



Harrison records, from the Persian Gulf, - - Pyrophyllia 1, Flabellivm 1, 

 Heterocyathus (the genus is discussed, and 3 species only are recognised) 2 (1 n.), 

 Paracyathus 1, Trematotroclms 1, Agelecyaihus 1, Fungia 1, Heteropsammia 1, 

 and Dendrophyllia 1. The occurrence of a recent Trem. is noteworthy, the 

 7 tertiary and 1 recent species of the genus having been known only from 

 Australia and Australasian seas. - Hickson adds notes on this collection, and 

 discusses the distribution of some of the corals, concluding that Pyrophyllia 

 inflata is the only species that even suggests a former connection of the Gulf 

 with the Mediterranean Sea. He adds remarks on Pyr. infl. [see Bericht f. 

 1910 Coel. p 29]. An endotheca is not present. The octoradiate symmetry, 

 the accretion ridges, and septal fusions in the lower part of the coral do not 

 indicate any true affinities with the Rugosa. The Guyniidse seem rather to 

 represent an early offshoot of the modern hexaradiate line of descent, and 

 their affinities lie rather with the modern Turbinolidai than with any known 

 Palaeozoic coral. 



According to Vaughar^ 1 ) each species of coral occurs under a more or less 

 definite set of conditions. In the Tortugas area, there are 3 or 4 coral faunal 

 complexes, the species of one complex only slightly overlapping those of another. 

 The author records observations on the rate of growth of corals. In 1908 

 the moat at Jefferson contained no specimen of Oculina, but in 1909 two 

 rather large colonies were present, one of these had grown in height from 

 35 to 41 mm. Observations on May 8, 1908 and on May 18, 1909 showed 

 that in this period the following changes had taken place (1) a colony of 

 Eusmilia knorri with two calices (one dividing into three) had become a colony 

 of 8 separate calices, another with 6 calices grew to 11 or 12; (2) two spe- 

 cimens of 0. diffusa, the branches of each of which ranged in height from 10 to 

 25 mm., grew to 40 and 45 mm. respectively, another colony increased in breadth 

 from 125x125 to 180x180. its height remaining constant; (3) a colony of 

 Manicina gyrosa increased in breadth from 125x125 mm. to 154x154 mm.; 

 (4) an incrusting plate of Agaricia agaricites increased from 50x37 mm. to 

 69 x 54 mm.; (5) a colony of Porites furcata grew from a single nodule, 25 mm. 

 high, to a mass with 6 protuberances (the tallest 40 mm. high, bifurcated with 

 a branch 15 mm. high), 3 other protuberances trifurcated and 2 simple nodules. 

 Transplantation experiments are described which show that E. knorri and 

 Mceandra labyrinthiformis can withstand considerable ranges in the temperature 

 and salinity of the water. The duration of the free swimming larval stage 

 was found to be in Ag. crassa from 2 to 11 days, Por. clavaria 4 to 13 days, 

 P. astreoides 2 to 7 days. This duration of the free swimming stage renders 

 possible an extensive distribution of corals by means of ocean currents. 



Vaughan ( 2 ) records observations on the recent Madreporaria of Florida. Shallow- 

 water corals are abundant whereever the light is strong, but are absent in the 

 permanently shaded areas. Corals with fragile skeletons (Eusmilia and Oculina] 

 cannot live in the region of breakers, but that kind of environment is favourable 

 for Orbicella annularis and Porites astreoides. The ability to withstand ex- 

 posure between tides seems to be a function of the porosity of the skeleton. 

 The superficial soft tissues of Eusm., Orb. ann., Nceandra areolata, and Mani- 

 cina gyrosa were killed by exposure during a period of unusually low tides, 

 and this was also the case with some Favia fragum all corals with im- 



