1899.] ASTK^ID COHAIS FROM THE SOtTTH PACITIC. 743 



3. C(ELOEiA ASTE^iFOEMis Milne-Edwai'ds & Haime. (Plate 

 XLVI. fig. 4.) 



Astroria astrceiformis, Milne-Edwards & Haime, Ann. des Sc. 

 Nat. ser. 3, xi. p. 299 (1849). 



Coeloria astrceiformis, Milne-Edwards & Haime, Cor. ii. p. 417 

 (1857). 



I have, with great hesitation, referred four specimens to this 

 exceeding^ ill-characterized species. 



The colonies have the same form o£ growth as the two preceding 

 species, but I never found them in such large masses. The 

 calices are usually circumscribed, seldom forming valleys more than 

 1'5 cm. loug. The theca is very thin and almost perfect. The 

 third cycle of septa is nearly complete, Imt narrow, not reaching 

 the columella. The primary and secondary septa are very thin, 

 and hence appear somewhat distant ; they are seldom more than 

 •5 mm. esserfc, and are narrow above, increasing abruptly at the 

 level of the columella. The columella is formed by twisted 

 lamellate trabeculse from the septal edges, and varies considerably 

 in size. It is always distinct in section, and ends above in a few 

 fine spines. 



Breadth of the valleys 4-5 mm.; depth of the same 3-4 mm. 

 Septa, 11-12 in 1 cm. 



Eunafuti ; lagoon, two specimens. Wakaya, Fiji ; reef, two 

 specimens. 



The corallum in all its different parts is rather coarser in the 

 Wakayan specimens. In the smaller, a mere fragment from the 

 extreme edge of the reef, some of. the calices are 6 mm. broad and 

 5 mm. deep. 



4. Coeloria espeei Milne-Edwards & Haime. (Plate XLVI. fig. 5.) 

 Madrepora dcedalea (pars), Esper, Ports. Pflanz. i. p. 63, pi. Ivii. 



fig. 2 (1797). 



Astroria esperi, Milne-Edwards & Haime, Ann. des Sc. Nat. 

 ser. 3, xi. p. 298 (1849). 



Coeloria esperi, Milne-Edwards & Haime, Cor. ii. p. 417 (1857). 



I am very doubtful whether this species is really distinct from 

 0. dadalea, but yet, as my specimen (a dome-shaped mass 14 by 

 11 cm. by 7 cm. high) agrees almost perfectly with the above 

 descriptions and exhibits little variety over its surface, I have 

 retained the species. 



Besides the diiferences from C. dcedalea given in the above 

 references, my specimen shows the following : — Epitheca of the 

 same character, but thin and imperfect. Longest series 1*7 cm. 

 Theca quite perfect. Septa seldom more than 1*5 mm. exsert, 

 sloping more gradually, and with long spiniform teeth for 1-2 mm. 

 above the columella. Columella less reduced, with no marked 

 spines on its surface. 



Breadth of the valleys 5'5-6*5 mm. ; depth of the same 5 mm. 

 Septa, 13-15 in 1 cm. 



Botuma ; loc. incert, 



48» 



