Fo.ml Corals 



223 



Porites belli, sp.n. 



Diagnosis. — Cornlluni massive. Corallitcs very small, being 

 about 1-5 mm. in diameter. The walls are thin, but veiy distinct 

 in sections. The intermediate tissue is very narrow. The septa 

 are from 12 to 16 in number, and very sinuous and irregular. The 

 columella is veiy small and indistinct, and so also are the pali. 

 Distribution. — On Christmas Island. 

 Fossil : 



'No. 132. A much altered specimen from the second 



inland clilf . East coast ; alt. 550 feet. 

 ^0. 301. An altered specimen with thickened walls. 



Inland cliff ; alt. 250 feet. 

 No. 306. From inland cliff over West White Beach. 



North coast ; alt. 260 feet. 

 No. 85 "^ Shore plateau at top of sea cliff. North-East 



Point ; alt. 40 feet. 

 No. 980. From 60-80 feet up the first inland cliff. 



North coast ; alt. about 120 feet. 

 No. 6. From a large mass from south side of 

 Flj'ing Fish Cove. 

 ?No. 905. An altered coral from top of the first inland 

 cliff. South of the waterfall. 



Figure. — Fig. 6 : part of a section of specimen No. 609, X 9 dia. 

 Fig. 7 : part of another specimen (No. 6), showing the walls 

 burrowed by a boring alga. 



Fig. 6. 



Fig. 7. 



Affinities. — The Christmas Island corals, on which this species 

 is founded, include several specimens from the limestones of the 

 sea cliff and the inland cliff. The species has a well-marked but 



