DESCRIPTION OF CORALS. 133 
nating on the exterior in minute pores ; additional polype-cavities developed 
on the side of pre-existing or in the intertubular substance. 
Ehrenberg has united the Dendrophyllia of M. de Blainville to Oculina 
(Beitrage, p. 78), and the fossil under consideration presents structural details 
which would apparently justify the union ; while Dend. ramea, De Blainville’s 
typical species, and some tertiary polypidoms exhibit essential differences and 
partially support M. Milne-Edwards’s remark, that ‘‘ this innovation ought not 
to be adopted, though the limits between Oculine and Dendrophyllie are a little 
uncertain.’ (2nd edit. Lamk. t. il. p. 454, 1836.) 
In mode of growth, the Bracklesham coral agreed completely with Oc. rari- 
stella, and the differences in the intertubular reticulation existed only in the 
relative fineness or coarseness of the component parts: in the grouping of the 
lamella, however, and in the mode of blending with the surrounding structure, 
there were no resemblances, but, on the contrary, an almost perfect similarity 
with the recent Dend. ramea as well as the fossil Dend. digitalis. (Consult M. 
Michelin’s excellent figure, Icon. pl. 10. f. 10.) The latter agreements never- 
theless must be regarded, in the present case, of less importance than the 
habit of growth, which in the Bracklesham coral, as in Oculina, is intimately 
connected with the reproductive processes. In the two Dendrophyllie just 
mentioned a lamelliferous master-tube pervades the centre of the main stems, 
and in the recent species, which has secondary stems or branches, these also 
are similarly provided, the additions in every instance arising from marginal 
expansions in the boundary of the stellular cavity. So far as the describer’s 
practical knowledge extends, traces of these master-tubes may always be detected, 
though the interstices are very frequently so far filled up, that a transverse 
fracture presents an apparently compact centre, resembling that of Oculine ; and, 
as many deviations from a normal condition must occur by dismemberments 
and the subsequent coating over of the fractured surfaces by animal secretions, 
still farther external accordances with that genus may occasionally be exhibited. 
Examples of the regular mode of growth in Dend. ramea are excellently given 
by Solander and Ellis or Lamouroux (Nat. Hist. Zoophytes, pl. 38, or Exp. 
Méthodiq. pl. 38. Consult also Esper, Pflanzenthiere, Madrep. pl. 9) ; and of 
more or less marked deviations from it by Esper (op. cit. Madrep. pl. 10 A), 
Marsilli (Hist. de la Mer, tab. 31. fig. 144), Pallas (Elenchus, Germ. Trans. 
tab. 16. fig. 54), and Lochner (Mus. Besler. tab. 25, centre figure, quoted by 
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