1880.] MR. F. MOOKE ON THE INDIAN OPHIDERIN^. 27 



outer layer of the body-wall persists as a covering all over the outer 

 surface of the fully grown coral. I have decalcified many such, and 

 never found any trace of mesenteries or intermesenterial canals on 

 the inner surface of this layer. 



" The question is to a certain extent one of nomenclature. At all 

 events Dr. Koch's results are very interesting ; and further research 

 by use of his method in the case of other corals must lead to valuable 

 results. 



"With regard to the development of the coral-wall from out- 

 growths of the ends of the septa, it must be noted that Prof. Lacaze- 

 Duthiers found, in the case of the Mediterranean coral Astroides cali- 

 cularis, that the wall is developed in the young coral from calcareous 

 spicules quite distinct from those composing the septa. Dr. Koch, 

 however, considers that the mode of development may be quite different 

 in the case of the Perforate Corals, to which group Astroides belongs, 

 from that occurring in Imperforata. Further, however, many very 

 young corals of the genus Flahellum were dredged by H.M.S. * Chal- 

 lenger.' In these the wall appears as very distinct from the septa, and 

 there can be little doubt that both the horizontal wall at the base and 

 the lateral wall are structures developed apart from the comparatively 

 insignificant septa. In Flabellum the sutures in transverse sections of 

 the coral appear to correspond with the centres of the septa them- 

 selves, and riOt with the intervals between them as in Caryophyllia ; 

 and in the young corallum the wall is seen to be doubled in as it 

 were opposite the lines of attachment of the septa to it. 



" Corals are so difficult as subjects of investigation that our know- 

 ledge of them is as yet very imperfect indeed, and it becomes more 

 and more evident that the careful investigation of a few forms will 

 not suffice to elucidate the others ; they must all become the objects 

 of much patient research." 



The Secretary exhibited an egg of the Mooruk {Casuarius betinetti) 

 from the island of New Britain, sent to him for examination bj 

 Capt. F. J. Evans. 



The egg was obtained by Admiral Hoskins, late Commodore ou 

 the Australian Station. 



A communication was read from Mr. F. Moore, F.Z.S., contain- 

 ing an account of the Indian genera and species of the Lepidopterous 

 subfamily Ophiderinae. 



This paper will be published in the Society's ' Transactions.' 



The following papers were read : — 



