312 Dr. F. Bruggemami on Stony Corals. 



(Cat. Mus. Comp. Zool. iv. p. 71) ; but it seems to occur also 

 in a more or less regular way in all the other species. 



From this peculiar mode of growth, as well as from the 

 dentation of the septa, the loosely trabecular spreading colu- 

 mella, the general shape and aspect of the corallum, &c., the 

 West-Indian /sojo/??/Z/iVe appear to me, by the way, to be a natural 

 generic group which should not be blended with Symphyllia, 

 as has been proposed by Pourtales. SymphyUia^ in its 

 turn, cannot be separated from Mussa ; there are, as Ver- 

 rill (in Dana, Cor. & Cor. Isl., App. p. 336) has already 

 observed, such numerous transitions, not only as regards the 

 species, but also the individual coralla, and even parts of 

 individuals, that, although admitting the justice of Liitken's 

 contrary remarks (Zool. Rec. for 1872), I can see no possi- 

 bility of keeping these two genera apart. iVs to the West- 

 Indian so-called Syniphyllice, I agree with De Pourtalfes that 

 these should stand in the same genus with Isopliyllia. Duchas- 

 saing and Michelotti have described as Syniphyllio not only 

 species of true Isophyllia^ but also of UlophyUia (which genus 

 is certainly of West-Indian origin) and possibly of Myceto- 

 phyllia. The differences between all these genera are, 

 indeed, precarious enough. The innermost septal teeth in 

 Isophyllia are frequently prolonged to join the trabecute of 

 the columella ; I would therefore prefer to return to Milne- 

 Edwards and Haime's former classification, and to withdraw 

 again Isophyllia in favour of UlophyUia (the latter being prior 

 in date). Perhaps also Mycetophyllia cannot be maintained. 

 I am not acquainted with its type species ; but there is a West- 

 Indian coral in the Museum collection showing the septal 

 dentation of UlophyUia crispa and the superficial calicles of 

 Mycetophyllia] besides, the development of the endotheca is 

 said to be very different in degree in the two species of Myceto- 

 phyllia. To UlophyUia.^ in its former, more extensive sense, 

 the following specific names are referable : — - 



1. 3/ea??c?n'wa cri'sjoa, Lamarck 5 Oulophyllia crispa^ M.-Edw. 



&H. 



2. OulophyUia Stokesiana, M.-Edw. & H. 



3. OulophyUia ? spinosa, M.-Edw. & H. 1849 ; Isophyllia 



spinosa, M.-Edw. & H. 1857. 



4. IsojjhyUia ^' australis,^^ M.-Edw. & H. 1857 (not Caryo- 



phyllia australis, M.-Edw. c<: H. 1848 and 1849 !). 



5. Symphyllia guachilp)ens{s^ M.-Edw. & H. 



6. Isophyllia '^ guadulpjensis^^^ Pourtales; Isophyllia "rigida,^^ 



Verrill, 1864. The strong costse are not sufficient to 

 identify the Symphyllia guadtdpensis, as they are equally 



