POLYNESIAN PORITES. 107 
The calicles are rather large, 1 mm. in diameter, distinctly excavate, but not deep. The 
walls are very porous, and of moderate thickness. The septa are thin, sparingly spinosely 
granulated on the sides. Pali, five or six, small and prominent, The columella is rudimentary, 
spongy, often wanting. 
This coral is picked up by divers near La Paz; and worn specimens are common on the 
beach. There is. unfortunately no illustration with the description. The description, which 
is very good of the growth-form, is naturally insufficient with regard to the calicles. The 
stocks seem to be small, from 7°5-12°5 cm. high, and 15-20 cm. in diameter. 
91. Porites Gulf of California (32. (P. Californica secunda.) 
[Near La Paz, coll. Capt. J. Pedersen; Yale College Museum. ] 
Syn. Porites porosa Verrill, Trans. Conn, Acad. i. part 2 (1867-71), p. 504. 
Description.—The corallum is encrusting, with surface ridges with irregular lobes or 
branches, which are rounded at the top. Lobes or branches 1*2-2°5 em. thick. 
The calicles are small, 0°75-1:0 mm. in diameter, crowded, and shallow. The walls 
are thin, fragile, very porous, roughly spinulose, and lacerate. The septa are but little 
developed, thin and narrow, the edge roughly spinulose or lacerate, the sides with small 
spinule-like granulations. The five to seven pali are slender, prominent, roughly spinulose 
at top. The columella is small, porous, little developed, and often wanting. 
The colour of the unbleached corallum is dark yellowish brown. 
This Porites is said to differ from the one above by its “ unusually porous texture, very 
thin walls and septa, and crowded cells or calicles,” 
92. Porites Gulf of California (38. (P. Californica tertia.) 
[La Paz, coll. Capt. J. Pedersen; Yale College Museum. ] 
Syn. Porites nodulosa Verrill, Trans. Conn. Acad. i. part 2 (1867-71), p. 505. 
Description—The corallum rises into small, crowded, frequently coalescing branches, 
rounded, not longer than 6-8 mm. These form together low, crowded clumps, 7°5-10 cm. 
in diameter, and 5 em, high, 
The calicles are moderately large, from 1-1°25 mm. in diameter, shallow, but clearly 
defined. The walls are thin, roughly lacerate, and porous; the septa roughly lacerate and 
spinulose, the sides covered with sharp rough granules; the pali five to six, short and stout, 
and roughly spinulose ; columella little developed, spongy or trabecular. 
This coral is said to be not uncommon on the beach, but mostly badly worn. 
P 2 
