on both faces, as a rule. Sometimes due to growth con- 

 ditions (see Vaughan) , the fronds may be reduced and 

 an almost massive, slightly lobed form result (variety 

 crassa) . Sometimes the cups may be restricted to one 

 face (variety purpurea). Cups arranged in parallel 

 groups of varying lengths separated by slightly pro- 

 jecting walls. Common on the Florida reefs in the 

 Bahamas and southward to Brazil. 



Coral usually foliaceous or \rondous, hut sometimes 

 massive or encrusting, fronds usually bifacial, irregu- 

 lar 5 to 20 mm thick. Calices arranged in groups 

 between more or less parallel collines, small and shal- 

 low, about 2-3 mm. Septa low, up to 36, finely ser- 

 rulate. Costate. Synapticulae between septa. 



8. Agaricia fragilis Dana. 



Described by Verrill (1902), page 142. 



Generally similar to A. agaricites, with the following 

 differences. Coral grows out into cup shaped or saucer 

 shaped fronds, which are thin and delicate. Usually 

 up to 6 inches across and with cups on upper surface 

 only. Ridges between cups generally long and low. 

 Cups about 2 mm across. The only Bermuda species 

 of Agaricia. Also off Florida Keys. 



Vedicelled, with broad thin saucer-shaped or cup- 

 shaped frond, unifacial, about 3 mm thick. Rarely 

 over 150 mm. Calices small, about 2 mm, generally 

 with edges elevated. Septa and costae thin and finely 

 serrulate. Collines vary, but usually long, regular, 

 rounded and little elevated, forming long concentric 

 series of calices. Septa up to 2 4. Collines about 20 

 mm apart. 



9. Agaricia nobilis Verrill. 

 Described by Verrill (1 902) , page 1 50. 



77 



