MADREPORES. 



187 



siderable depth, radiating into numerous lamellae, forming a wideh'- 

 branching arborescent coral, externally striated, internally furrowed, 

 and truncate at the extremities. The animals are actiniform, furnished 

 with numerous pinnate tentacula, in the centre of which is the polygonal 











Sir : «■"■■■•-» ■■.■".♦a.-- .t^:-7i• 

 Fig. 71. — Madrepora plantaginea (Lamarck). 



mouth. In Lobophyllia, the tentacul^ are cylindrical, the cells 

 conical, sometimes elongated and sinuous, with a sub-circular opening 

 terminating the few branches of the polyp, which is fixed, turbinate, 

 and striated. The Plantain Madrepore, Madrepora p/antagtnea 

 (Lamarck), is an interesting species, the polyps presenting them- 

 selves, as in Fig, 71, in tufts, with slender and prolific branches. 



