186 Cc. A. MACMUNN. 
2. COENOPSAMMIA NIGRESCENS (from Hulule)'. 
An alcohol solution of the coarsely powdered coral was of a greenish-yellow tinge. In 
a layer of 10 centimetres deep a band could be seen in the red, due to a 
trace of a chlorophylloid pigment, and reading from A670 to 648. On 
evaporation on the water-bath a residue partly greenish-yellow and partly brownish was 
obtained, but this residue is more yellow (or reddish-yellow) than in the case of C. willeyt, 
and it is not wholly soluble in ether. The ethereal solution was reddish-yellow and _ left 
on evaporation a yellow residue soluble in the same solvents as in the case of C. willeyi. 
Alcohol extract 
of dried coral. 
The coarsely powdered coral was then after the alcohol extraction treated with dilute 
hydrochloric acid 1 in 4, then with the strong acid. On filtering off the soft 
decalcified coloured parts from the acid, the latter was found to have a 
reddish-yellow colour; this solution absorbed the violet end of the spectrum 
but gave no bands. 
Pigments of the 
decalcified 
coral. 
The soft pigmented parts of the decalcified coral were then washed free from acid and 
treated with absolute alcohol: but only a little pigment went into this. 
This filtered alcohol extract had a greenish-yellow colour and did not show a noticeable 
red fluorescence, and did not give a band in red. It however strongly absorbed the violet 
end of the spectrum. On evaporating this solution an orange-coloured residue was left: 
partially soluble in ether and in chloroform, the solution showing no bands. That part of the 
pigment insoluble in these solvents was yellow. Here again the absence of a lipochrome 
was noticeable. 
alcohol was now treated with caustic soda 
and water and filtered. The filtrate was of a reddish-brown colour and absorbed 
the violet end of the spectrum but showed no bands, nor were any visible 
The decalcified coral after extraction with 
Solution of 
pigment in 
NaHO. g ; : 
on adding sulphide of ammonium. 
Hydrochloric acid did not precipitate out this pigment to any marked extent even when 
added to excess. The little pigment precipitated out and filtered off was of a brown colour, 
insoluble in ether, chloroform, or absolute alcohol and soluble in weak acid and alkaline 
aqueous solutions. 
Here again no polyperythrin was present. 
3. DENDROPHYLLIA RAMEA®. 
The dried coral was extracted with alcohol and yielded a yellow solution. This showed 
no absorption bands, nor had it a red fluorescence. It absorbed the violet end 
of the spectrum; in a deep layer at 2480 completely. On evaporation a 
brownish, and in thinner parts a yellowish, residue was left. This was soluble in ether but 
Alcohol extract 
of dried coral. 
common in the passages of the atolls and banks in the 
Maldives from 15 to 40 fathoms. It also is found within the 
banks, wherever there is a sufficient current to keep the 
1 [Vide Milne Edwards and Haime, Cor. m1. p. 128. The 
species was only found in the Maldives. It occurs in the 
same position as C. willeyi, but is much less common. The 
colour, when alive, is a uniform, dull, cloth-black. Ep.] 
2 [All the specimens of Dendrophyllia appear to me to 
belong or closely approximate to this species (see Milne 
Edwards and Haime, Cor, mm, p. 115). The species is very 
bottom fairly clear of mud and sand. The colour, when 
alive, is a somewhat iridescent black with very dark olive- 
green in the peristome, lighter immediately around the 
stomodoeum. Eb.] 
