﻿140 MADEEPORAEIA. 



Coenenchyma shows in section an open laminate streaming layer surrounded by a thin 

 radial cortical layer in which very short stout trabeculoe are developed. These project above 

 the surface on the thicker and older parts of the stems as stout, solid, not very symmetrical 

 tubercles, 1 mm. or less in height, rising from an almost solid intei-stice. The younger flattened 

 tops of the branches are, on the contrary, entirely composed of the streaming layer, which seems 

 to fray out and become ragged. The corallum is here very porous and friable, and covered with 

 tliin spiked ridges and projecting flakes with jagged edges. In the transition zone between 

 these growing tops and the older parts, the tubercles are not unlilce those of M. hispida, being 

 iu many cases perforated. (PI. XXXIV. fig. 6.) 



In describing this type Mr. Quelch stated that it came near 3f. palmata. This is true in 

 the general character of the calicles and method of growth. On the other hand, this is a 

 typical tuberculate Montipore, whereas M. palmata belongs to the foveolate group. 



a, I, c. Banda. H.M.S. ' Challenger.' 86. 12. 9. 252. (Types.) 



b. Tubercles running into or combined with ridges. 



lis. Montipora rus. 



Madrepora ms, Forskdl, Desc. Anim. (1775) p. 135. 



Porites nts, de Blainville, Diet. Sci. Nat. Lx. (1830) p. 360. 



Non Montipora rus, Mihie-Edwards and Haime, Ann. Sci. Nat., x\-i. (1851) p. 58. 



Non Montipora rus, Khmzinger, Kor., pt. ii. (1879) p. 36, pi. vi 9; v. 5; x. 8. 



Bcsci-iption. — Corallum explanate, foliate. 



Calicles somewhat obscure, round, about the size of a mustard seed. 

 Ccenenchyma rises into tubercles which run here and there into keels, undulating and 

 denticulate. Tubercles crowded on the higher portions of the corallum. 



Unfortunately Forskal's original description says nothing about the shape of the corallum, 

 and we are left to gather from the denticulate keels with the subtile, spongy condition of the 

 surface papiUse that the specimen was of the tuberculate type, with the tubercles running 

 together to form undulating and denticulate " keels." 



Milne-Edwards and Haime, and later. Dr. Klunzinger, interpreted this specimen to have 

 been papillate, and the latter author thought it was the same as Ehrenberg's mceandrina 

 (p. 100) ; but this latter coral, with its irregular rounded papilla, does not form ridges which 

 could properly be called " keels " (carinje). Besides, there are no parts that are so subtHely 

 " papilloso-spongioso " as to appear " covered with a spider's web," an expression which is 

 certainly not easy to understand under any supposition. 



All that we are justified in suggesting, then, is that Forskal's original specimen was a 

 tuberculate Montipore from the Eed Sea, and near foliosa. And further, as he does not 

 mention keels in his first enumeration of the characters, but only in his fuller description, 

 these keels were probably not as striking as they usually are in M. foliosa itself.. 



