144 



THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



W. Smille-Kent, Photo. 



STAG'S-HORN CORAL GROWTH, Madrepora hebes, GREAT BARRIER REEF, QUEENSLAND. 



acres in extent, and attain to a tall coppice-like growth of five or six, or more, 

 feet in height. The dead and decaying coralla of this species that also bestrew the 

 sea-bottom in portions of these areas present a remarkable resemblance to cut and 

 prostrate brushwood. A very interesting demonstration of the reparative powers of 

 the Madreporidte is furnished by the accompanying illustration. It represents a 

 branchlet of the purple species, which, having been broken off at some previous period, 



W. Saville-Kent, Pho/o. 

 MADREPORA BRANCHLET, SHOWING RE-GROWTH AT BROKEN END, MARKED A. TWO-THIRDS NATURAL SIZE. 



