﻿44 MADEEPORAKIA. 



The tendency of the septa to be lamellate is an interesting feature in this type (see 

 Introduction, p. 13). 



a. Tongatahn (with M. ealcarea). , J. J. Lister, Esq.. [91.3.6.28.] (Type.) 



b. (A detached fragment of a.), 



26. Montipora fruticosa. (n. IV. fig. 2 ; PI. XXXII. fig. 2.)' 



Description — Corallum forms small close tufts- of thin branches, averaging 4 to 5 mm. 

 thick, excepting in some cases when the main stems thicken irregularly to 10 mm. Tufts 

 irregular in shape, round and bushy, or palmate, with main stem flattened and with ultimate 

 branches slightly compressed and widened at the tips. The living zone is about 6 cm. deep. 



CaUcles as deep round holes, as if punctured in the almost solid corallum,, very con- 

 spicuous,, minute, 0*35 mm; in diameter, evenly distributed, about 1 mm. apart. As a rule 

 M'ith only the fiiintest traces of septa as six slight projections. 



Coenenchyma consists of a laminate axial reticulum, well developed and forming the 

 apices of the young branches, where it is very friable, the laminaj being delicate and thin. 

 Lower down,, an alinost solid cortical layer appears, while the bands of the axial reticulum 

 become much tliicker. Old stems are nearly solid, although the original differentiation into 

 axial and cortical layers can be seen. The gradual change from the reticulum which comes 

 to the surface on the sides of the young' branches to the solid cortical layer can be traced. 

 Tlie soHd layer is frosted over with minute granules. 



There are seven specimens representing this type. Three of them are- round bushy tufts-, 

 the thin cylindrical branches fusijig with one another ; while the remaining four rise up as 

 thickened,, sHghtly flattened stems, the whole clump tending to be compressed and even 

 palmate. The tips of the young branches may also in these cases be compressed. 



The two divisions, are, however, not very distinct ; the whole number forms a continuous 

 series. They are, moreover, unmistakably linked, together by the calicles, which are like punc- 

 tured holes. These apertures are so marked a feature that I have no hesitation in sepa- 

 rating this from the M.. digitata of Dana in. wiiich the apertures are irregular breaks in 

 a surface reticulum (cf. Zooph., pi. xlviii. fig. Ic). 



a. Warrior Island, Great Barrier Eeef: CftUi Saville-Kent. 92. 12. 1. 328. (Type.) 



&. Great Barrier Eeef. „ „ 92. 12:. 1.526. 



(a and b are bushy specimens, cf. El. lY. fig, 2.), 



0, d; e. Great Banrier Eeef. Coll. SaviUe-Kent. 97. 6. IS. 



([d and e with flattened tips to the branches^) 



f. Great Barrier Eeef CoU. SaviUe-Eent. 92. 12. 1. 527. 



g. ,„ „ „ 92.12.1550., 



(/ and g are irreg-ularly ramose expansions of taU straight stems.): 



