ASTRiEOPOR^E PULVINAT^. 



95 



Species 10. Astraeopora ocellata. (PI. XXIX. ; PI. XXXIII. fig. 16.) 



Dcscri2)tion.—Coral\um^ a thick encrusting growth with expanding top. Well-developed 

 (? secondary) epitheca. 



Calicles crowded, projecting, globose, with large circular apertures (3 mm.), diameter of 

 protuberance G mm. In almost every depression between the crowded protuberances is a deep, 

 pit-like young calicle. Septa very inconspicuous, not showing in the margin, but seen as 

 faint ridges just below it ; deep down in the fossa, the friUed edges of the primaries occupy 

 the centre. The hemispherical protuberant calicles are solid and very conspicuous. 



Coenenchyma. Owing to the deep pit-like young calicles between the prominent adidt 

 polyp-cavities, it appears almost as if there were no intervening coenenchyma, the whole 

 corallum looking as if made up of a bundle of thick-walled polyps. The echinuhc are well 

 developed, thick, long, and ending in several spines ; the whole has a rough look. The 

 synapticular floors are distinct, but delicate as compared with the stout costal element. Round 

 the margins of the calicles, the ccenenchyma is a solid, apparently irregular reticulum. 



It is somewhat difScult, from the material at hand— one specimen and a worn fragment- 

 to ascertain the exact method of growth. That it is maiidy a growth in thickness is, however, 

 evident, as well from the section as from the development of new buds all over the surface. 

 We further find tabulse, which places this point beyond doubt. But whether the growth of 

 the coral conforms to the typical pulvinate or globular method, or to neither, I cannot well 

 decide for certain. On the whole, the method of growth is nearer to the pulvinate type. 



The fragment shows some striking differences from the complete specimen. These, 

 however, may be due to wear ; the most important is the regular radiation of the costte as 

 wavy lines down the slopes of the prominent calicles. On the other hand, the general 

 resemblance of the specimens, and the comparative nearness of their respective localities (both 

 practically on the northern coast of Australia) are sufficient justification for classing them 

 provisionally together. 



a. Warrior Island. 



b. (Worn fragment.) Baudin Island 



04^ 8' S. ; 125° 36' E.). 



The Lords of the Admiralty. 



(Type.) 



