1G8 Bibliographical Notice.- 



Type. Male. Oiiginal number 13. Collected Gtli De- 

 cember, 11)06, by Mr.^ IS. B. Warren. 



This species is very much darker throuodiout than 

 M. Klaijesij to which it appears to be most nearly allied. 

 The similarly dark M. fuscata has a wholly g'rey-mixed 

 belly and a mucii more elongate skull, without trace of 

 supraorbital beads. 



EIBLIOGllAPHICAL NOTICE. 



Catalogue of the Madreponirinn Corals in the British Museum 

 (Natural Jlisfori/). Vol. VI. By H. M. Beunvrd, M.A.. 

 London: Printed by Order of the Trustees of the British Museum, 

 1906. 



In this volume Mr. Bernard comi)letes the description of the genus 

 Porites and gives also a descriptive list of tlie genus Goniopora 

 supplementary to that given in vol. iv. 



Besides the Corals there are probably few groups in the animal 

 kingdom which present such formidable difficulties to the taxonomiat 

 and morphologist alike — difficulties which at the present moment 

 appear to defy solution. Mr. Bernard, who has devoted to this 

 group many years of patient study, has, however, certainly laid the 

 foundations of a more exact knowledge of coral-forming animals, 

 and has at tlie same time brought to light some important evidence 

 with regard to the effect of isolation and the influence of environ- 

 ment on living organisms, more especially with regard to sessile 

 forms. 



The Author has, however, so it seems to us, become entangled in 

 the toils of that seductive question. What is a species ? Dissatisfied 

 with our present definition, and unable to supply any bettor, he 

 has endeavoured to compromise. AVe venture to think, however, 

 that his suggestion will not be favourably received. 



Becognizing a number of local forms in the several genera which 

 he has so far examined, ho proposes to regard these not as so many 

 geographical races to be distinguished by trinomial specific names, 

 but as indeterminate incipient species, which are to be distinguished 

 by numerals. So that we get such names as Gomopora Qucens- 

 landioi qidntadecima, Goniopora Australice occidentalis septima, 

 Porites incertce sedis quartadecima ! ! 



However, in spite of this positive drawback, Mr. Bernard has 

 contrived to bring together a mass of most valuable information, 

 Avhich will prove of great value not merely to the students of corals, 

 but also to those who are interested in the study of animal life in 

 general. 



Tlie plates which illustrate the volume are of great beauty. 



