116 A. E. Verrlll — BermKdian and West Indian Reef Corals. 



formed of loosely arranged processes of the septa. The eostro are 

 distinct, but narrow, serrulate ribs. The primary collines are radial, 

 dividing the margin, at one stage of growth, into several (normally 

 six) calicinal lobes ; they may be solid, with a simple wall, or they 

 may be double, with intermural exotheca and a groove on the 

 summit. These variations often occur on one specimen. The union 

 of the walls may also be so incomplete that they stand separately 

 in many parts of some exam^jles. The calicles vary greatly in size, 

 form, and degree of union into series, even on one specimen of most 

 species, when full grown. 



The relative number and closeness of the septa, the granulation of 

 their surfaces, the general character and size of their serrations, and 

 the character of the costte and their serrations afford much better 

 characters for specific distinctions. But all these vary more or less, 

 so that a large series must be studied with great care before one can 

 reach an intelligent opinion as to the limits of any of the species of 

 this group. 



The figures that have been published of the sjjecies of this genus 

 are entirely unsatisfactory. Even the beautiful lithographic figures 

 drawn by Sonrel for Professor L. Agassiz (see Pourtales, Florida 

 Reefs, pi, vii) are by no means correct enough for systematic pur- 

 poses.* Photographs alone can properly represent corals of this 

 character. After a most careful study of the large series of 

 Isophyllim in my own collections and others that are in the Yale 

 Museum, the Museum of Comp, Zoology, the American Museum, 

 New York, and several other large collections, I am convinced that 

 far too many species have been recognized. In the Bermudian series 



Haime I have not seen. The absence of spinose costse seems to be a character 

 of more value for distinguishing true UlophylHa than the position of the lai'ger 

 teeth. But the Red Sea species figured by Klunzinger look more distinct, on 

 account of their acute, nearly naked collines, which thus approach those of 

 Tri.dacophyllia. The American species that have been called UlophylHa belong 

 to Isophyliia. 



In our Bermuda Isophyllice similar variations in the position of the larger 

 teeth often occur, as will be noted in the descriptions. Indeed, the larger teeth 

 are more frequently the proximal ones. 



It may eventually be necessary to reunite all these groups under the original 

 genus Mussa, if a few additional intermediate forms should be discovered. 



* This is due to the impossiblity of drawing by hand, with accuracy, the vast 

 number of unequal septa and their numerous variable denticles. All the figures 

 are, therefore, generalized or idealized by the artist, so that the septa and their 

 teeth are much too regular and uniform, and for the same reason, they also 

 appear too numerous and too crowded. 



