312 Di'. F. Biiiggemann oh Stuny Corals. 



(Cat. Mus. Comp. Zool. \v. 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 corailum, &c., the 

 West-Indian /sojo^y/fe appear to me, by the way, to be a natural 

 generic group which should not be blended with Sympkyllia^ 

 as has been proposed by Pourtal^s. BymphylUa^ in its 

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

 rill (in Dana, Cor. & Cor. IsL, App. p. o36) 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 Liltken's 

 contrary remarks (Zool. Rec. for 1872), 1 can see no possi- 

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

 Indian so-called Symphyllice .^ I agree with De Pourtal^s that 

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

 saing and Michelotti have described as SymphyUia not only 

 species of true Isojjhyllia^ but also of UlojjhylUa (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 trabeculas 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 Ulophyllia (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 Ulophyllia 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 MyceiO" 

 phyllia. To Ulophyllia, in its former, more extensive sense, 

 the following specific names are referable : — 



1. Meandrina crispa ^\j^mdiXc\.\ Oulophyllia crispa, M..-^dw. 



&H. 



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



8. Oulophyllia^ spinosa, M.-Edw. & H. 1849; Isophyllia 

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



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



phyllia australis, M.-Edw. & H. 1848 and 1849 !). 



5. Synqyhyllia ynadulpensis, M.-Edw. & H. 



6. Isophyllia ^[guadulpensis,^'' Pourtal^s ; Isophyllia'''' ricjida^'* 



Verrill, 1864. The strong costse- are not sufficient to 

 identify the Symphyllia gv.adulpensis^ as they are equally 



