Corals from the China Sea. 365 



Seriatopora tenuis y sp. n. 



Corallum forming small busliy masses of closely arranged 

 branches, which in the lower portions are subpalmate, but 

 above cylindrical ; they are from 4 to 5 millim. in thickness, 

 bifurcating at intervals of from 5 to 7 millim. ; the apical 

 branchlets depressed, conical, winged, so as to show the rows 

 of calices very distinctly ; they are 4 to 5 millim. in length 

 by 2*5 millim. thick at their bases. Calices nearly circular, 

 •6 millim. in diameter, without projecting lip, from '2 to '4 

 millim. apart in rows, or five calices in 5 millim. There are 

 seven or eight rows on the branches, the rows about '4 millim. 

 apart. Calices deep, showing a sharp thin edge of the axial 

 septa, with occasionally a columellar tubercle slightly rising 

 from the centre, the calicinal pits well shown. Intermediate 

 space finely spinous. 



This species approaches closely to S. comjjacta, but the 

 branches are more slender ; the calices are smaller, and they 

 are in fewer rows. There is a single fairl}^ complete speci- 

 men 40 millim. in height by 75 millim. in width. 



Tizard Bank, 6 fath. 



Seriatopora arniata, sp. n. 



Corallum growing in low depressed clumps of delicate 

 thickly-set branches, from 3 to 4 millim. in thickness, some- 

 what compressed in their lower portions, bifurcating at 

 intervals of about 5 millim., and frequently coalescing. Near 

 the summit the branches furcate more frequently and give off 

 numerous short spike-like branchlets, conical, acute, winged, 

 and from 3 to 5 millim. long by 1*5 millim. thick at their 

 bases. Calices in five rows on the branches, oval, about '75 

 millim. long by "6 wide, about 3 millim. apart in the rows ; 

 margins well marked by stout spines but not exsert. There 

 are five calices in 5 millim. and the rows are about -6 millim. 

 apart. Calices showing the axial septa distinctly, in the 

 centre a slight crestiform elevation (columella?). Areas 

 between the calices with short spines which have sometimes 

 a linear arrangement. 



There is only a single perfect example of this species, 

 which is 35 millim. in height and about 90 wide across the 

 summit. In its mode of growth and in the character of the 

 calices this form approaches S. compacta and S. tenuis] but 

 its branches are more delicate, the rows of calices are fewer, 

 and the surface more spinous ; the numerous short apical 

 branchlets is also a distinguishing feature. 



