POLYNESIAN PORITES. 33 
the same time concealing the ealicle skeleton, the fossa alone usually remaining distinct,—this 
condition of the surface appears on the upper side of the sloping stem; (3) the calicles are 
obscured by the great size and prominence of wall flakes, into which the frosted granules have 
developed. This condition of the surface may be a growth stage, or else a permanent 
characteristic of the under side of the stem. 
The colour of the unbleached stock is light yellowish brown. The section shows the close 
axial reticulum surrounded by a dense rectangular network of stout radial trabecule and 
horizontal (concentric) elements, both about equally developed. 
This, which is only a fragment of a stock, though apparently a complete stem, is the first 
described Porites from Samoa. It was obtained from Count Castelli’s museum as “Porites 
mucronata Dana.” But Dana’s coral called “Porites nigrescens” var. “mucronata” was from the 
Sooloo sea (“P. nigrescens” being from the Fiji Islands); its calicles were said to be 1:5 mm. 
across, that is nearly three times as large as those of this coral, and its branching was quite 
different. 
For other branching forms with minute calicles, and the surface tending to consist of a 
mosaic of granules, see Table IIL., in the Analytical Section. 
The photograph, Plate I. fig. 6, is taken from the side of the sloping stem near the base. 
a. Zool. Dept. 98. 8. 1. 93. 
Of previous records of Porites from Samoa without descriptions, I have found the 
following :— 
1, A branching form compared with P. decipiens Briiggemann, perhaps the same as 
No. 5 below. Ortmann, Zool. Jahrb. (Syst.) iii, (1888) p. 157. (For Briiggemann’s coral, see 
P. Caroline Islands 1). 
2. A massive form compared with P. lutea, apparently of Klunzinger (cf. P. Red Sea 2). 
See Ortmann, 1. c. 
3. A massive form, with surface marked with wavy ccenenchymatous ridges, compared 
with P. Red Sea 6 (= Synarea lutea of Klunzinger). See Ortmann, |. c. p. 158. 
4. A cceenenchymatous branching form compared with P. Society Islands 3 (“convexa” 
Verrill), perhaps the same as No. 6 below. See Ortmann, 1. c. p. 158. 
5. A branching form closely resembling P. Caroline Islands 1 (= P. decipiens Briiggemann), 
ef. No.1. See Studer, Zool. Jahrb. (Syst.) xiv. (1901) p. 390. 
6. A cenenchymatous branching form compared with P. contigua Dana. This may 
perhaps be the same as No. 4. Studer, 1. ¢. p. 397. 
An examination of the Porites of Samoa would show us, therefore, at least five forms 
belonging to the Islands. Of these, two are apparently smooth branching forms, and one a 
ceenenchymatous branching form—one of the former is that here described, and as far as I 
can see, without any similarity whatever to the coral called “ P. decipiens” by Briiggemann. 
(See P. Caroline Islands 1.) 
