Growth^ and Habits of Coral Zoophytes. 51 



huge Astrgea domes, the Meandrinas, Pontes, the leafy clus- 

 ters of the Merulinae, numerous Madrepores: — indeed nearly 

 all the Pacific corals described in the Report on Zoophytes, 

 exclusive of those from the Tahitian and Hawaiian Islands, 

 were obtained from the inner reefs of the Feejees.* It is 

 therefore an assertion wide from the fact, that only smaller 

 corals grow in the lagoons and channels, though true of 

 lagoons and channels of small size, or of such parts of the 

 larger channels as immediately adjoin the mouths of fresh- 

 water streams. 



There are undoubtedly species especially fitted for the open 

 ocean ; but as peculiar conveniences are required for the col- 

 lection of zoophytes outside of the line of breakers, we have not 

 the facts necessary for an exact list of such species. From the 

 very abundant masses of Astrseas, Meandrinas, Porites, and 

 Madreporas thrown up by the waves on the exposed reefs, 

 it was evident that these genera were well represented in 

 the outer seas. In the Paumotus, the single individuals of 

 Porites lying upon the shores were at times six or eight feet 

 in diameter. Around the Duke of York's Island the bottom 

 was observed to be covered with small branching and folia- 

 ceous Madrepores (Manoporse), as delicate as any of the spe- 

 cies in more protected waters. 



Species of the same genera grow in the face of the break- 

 ers, and some are identical with those that occur also in 

 deeper waters. Numerous Astraeas, Meandrinas, and Ma- 

 dreporas grow at the outer edge of the reefs, where the 

 waves come tumbling in with their full force. There are 

 also many Milleporas, and some Porites and Pocilloporas in 

 the same places. But the weaker Manoporas, excepting in- 

 crusting species, are found in stiller waters, either deep or 

 shallow. The Nullipores, properly calcareous vegetation, 

 flourish best along the line of breakers, and form thick accu- 

 mulations upon the reef.f 



* The author's observations on the species of corals were not commenced till 

 reaching the Feejees, where we were among the inner reefs. Previous to that 

 time, this department in zoology was in the hands of Mr J. P. Couthouy. 



t Porites and Milleporee, according to Mr Darwin, prevail on the surf-reef 

 of Reeling's Island. Chamisso states that the large Astraeas live and grow in 

 the breakers. 



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