FORMATION OF THE .SKELETON IN THE MADREPORAKIA. 4*73 



Note on the Formation of the Skeleton in the 

 Madreporaria. 



By 

 Maria M. Ogilvie Gordon, 



D.Sc.(Loudoii), Pii.D.(MimiclO, F.L.S. 



Within the last few days there has been brought under 

 my notice a short account by M. Armaud Krenipf^ of the 

 mode of origin of the calcareous skeleton in Madreporarian 

 Corals. 



M. Krempf, whose observations were made on a species of 

 the genus " Seriatopora," writes as follows : 



"It is easy to verify that the corallum (" polypier ") of 

 this animal, in conformity with the investigations of Heider, 

 is formed by the imbrication of a multitude of small calca- 

 reous scales, themselves constituted by a small bundle of 

 fibres of lime carbonate. 



" I have been able, in addition, to demonstrate by means 

 of a decalcification conducted with great caution, the sub- 

 stratum of organic matter in the midst of which the calca- 

 reous part of this scale has taken solid form. 



" A very fine membrane limits each of these elements, 

 tending thus to give it the physiognomy of a small cell. 

 After suitable treatment of the fresh skeleton with decalci- 

 fying reagents, the whole of the delicate organic meshwork 

 (trames agglomerees) forms a light translucent mass, similar 

 to jelly and of extreme fragility. 



1 A. Krempf, " Sur la formation du squelette chez les Hexacoralliaires a 

 polypier." Note by M. Annand Krempf, presented by M. Yves Delage 

 (' Comptes Rendus,' 21st January, 1907). 



