CORALS AND CORAL MAKERS. 



55 



type of a new genus, called Favositipora^ by Mr. W. S. Kent, 

 on the ground of its tabulate character (Ann. Mag. Nat. 

 Hist., 1870), thus confirming, though overlooking, the author's 

 conclusions. 



In the genus Pontes, the corals are frequently branching, 

 as in the Forites viordax D., sometimes more slenderly, but 

 oftener less so, and at times massive and monticulose in form. 

 Another species of Porites is represented on the following 

 page, with one of the branches 

 fully expanded, but the others in 

 outline ; a polyp, much enlarged, 

 having twelve tentacles as in 

 the Madrepor^e, is shown in the 



accompanying figure. The cells ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^,3 



of the corallum are superficial, 

 and hence the name of the species, Forites levis. 



Another form, different in the size and character of its 

 polyps, is exemplified in the genus Goniopora. In the species 

 figured on page 32, the colour of the projecting polyps was 

 lilac or pale purple, and the number of tentacles eighteen to 

 twenty-four, yet all were in a single series. The columns 

 grow to a height of two feet or more, with only the summits 

 for two or three inches alive. The dead portion is usually 

 encrusted with nullipores, sponges, serpulse and various shells, 

 which protect the very porous corallum within from wear and 

 solution by the moving waters. 



II. CYATHOPHYLLOIDS. 



It is not necessary to dwell here at length upon the ancient 

 Cyathophylloids. The corals have a close resemblance to those 

 of the Astraea tribe in general aspect, varieties of form, and 

 range of size ; the methods of multiplication by buds were the 

 same that are now known in the Oculina tribe. Some of the 

 larger kinds of simple corals, such as those of the genera 

 Zaphrentis and Heliophyllum, had at times a diameter of three 

 or four inches, so that the breadth of the polyp flower was 

 probably at least six inches. Hemispherical masses of soHd 



