948 MB. J. S. GAEDINEE ON CORALS [DeC. 14, 



upper calices of the branches, and in many of the lower are almost 

 distinct. 



Levuka, Fiji ; 3 fathoms. Funafuti ; 30 fathoms. 



Two specimens, weighing 41 and 13 grams, were obtained from 

 the chain of a buoy in Levuka Harbour, which had been cleaned 

 less than 22 months before. 



Var. LiGULATA (Dana). 



PocUlopora Ur/ulata, Dana, Zoophytes, p. 531, pi. 50. fig. 2. 

 Pocillopora Ugulata, Verrill, Proc. Essex Inst. vol. vi. 1868, 

 p. 95. 



A small specimen closely resembles this " species " of Dana, 

 but many of its calices are intermediate in their septa to P. aspera, 

 and the colony also closely resembles in its growth that species. 

 In some of its cells the tertiary septa can be traced, and in others 

 the septa approach to those of P. plicata of Dana. 



Funafuti ; 7 fathoms. 



Although I have only had the opportunity of examining a 

 very limited number of specimens, as I can find no distinctive 

 characters, I have no hesitation in combining P. aspera, P. dance, 

 P. ligulata, and P. plicata under one species with three varieties ; 

 I only doubt the propriety of characterizing varieties by their 

 septa and columella, as it seems to me that the term "variety" 

 should be kept in the Madreporaria for colonies the general 

 growth of which differs in some important respect from that of 

 the type. 



14. PociLLOPOBA TEERUCOSA (Ellis & Solander). 



Madrepora verrucosa, Ellis & Solander, Zoophytes, p. 172. 

 Poeillopora verrucosa, Dana, Zoophytes, p. 529, pi. 50. figs. 3-3rt. 

 Pocillopora verrucosa, Quelch, Challenger Eeport on Eeef-Corals, 

 p. 69. 



I have referred a somewhat recumbent branch to this species. 

 Its verrucsB are 4-5 mms. long by 2-3 mms. broad, and lie 

 entirely on the upper surface of the branch. The septa are 

 indistinct, but the columella is large and very spinulous. 



Rotuma ; outer reef. 



15. Pocillopora squarrosa, Dana. 



Pocillopora squarrosa, Dana, Zoophytes, p. 530, pi. 50. fig. 5. 



I have referred three specimens to this species. The corallum 

 forms loose clumps about 30 cms. in diameter by 18 cnis. high. 

 The species is w-ell characterized by the low crowded verrucas, 

 which completely cover over the sides and the somewhat com- 

 pressed and lobed apices of the branches. The surface of the 

 coenenchyma, which is fairly abundant, is completely covered over 

 by short somewhat variable spines, and there are in the lower 

 calices of the branches 12 very distinct septa, of which one 



