﻿TUBERCULATE MONTIPORiE. 151 



Of this interesting Montipore there is one large clump, about 15 cm. high and the same 

 in its longest measurement across the top, and a single detached stem fitted in its place in the 

 figure (PI. XXVIII.). 



In general method of growth, i.e. in the extraordinary richness and character of the 

 ccenenchyma, it is closely allied to M, ellisi. At first sight it appears possible to regard it as 

 a great proliferation of the edge of an old stock of M. ellisi. There are, however, three points 

 that make me hesitate to put them together. The tubercles of this last type are much stouter, 

 shorter, rounder and more densely packed, and form the whole surface. Whereas here the 

 surface can be seen between the tubercles ; more important still, most of the calicles of M. ellisi 

 have a columella. But for these differences the two types could be easily combined. 



Another superficial resemblance worth mentioning is to the more closely tufted specimens 

 of M. hispida (Dana's M. spumosa). The differences, however, are great, the ridging and 

 cresting only indicated in M. hisjnda are carried here to an extreme, the calicles are smaller 

 and the tubercles more crowded. There is no trace of the smooth fiaky surfaces between 

 the tubercles and surrounding the calicles which characterises M. hispida. 



a. (Two pieces fitted together), locality [Register No. 97. 10. 9. 1.] (Type.) 



not recorded. 



127. Montipora fimbriata. 



Description. — Corallum a flattened, fan-shaped tuft, growing from one or more narrow 

 stalks obliquely upwards. The edge fringed with short free digitiform processes, which fuse, 

 in the course of growth, longitudinally to form the body of the fan ; living zone about 7 cm. 

 deep. 



Calicles conspicuous, rather scattered, look upwards towards growing edge, hence the outer 

 walls project. Primaries variously developed, about to the half radius circle ; directives may 

 be pronounced, nearly meeting ; only slight indications of secondaries. On the under surface 

 the calicles in the younger half like those of the upper surface ; on the lower older, smoother 

 and more stony surface, as minute inconspicuous stars, somewhat scattered, and with broken 

 margins and irregular septa. 



The reticulum is very compact throughout, in the narrow stalks quite solid. The 

 thickening layers of both upper and lower faces also soon become dense. On the under side, 

 for some 3 to 4 cm. from the growing edge, the surface rises in tubercles and gyrating tubercular 

 ridges, forming ramparts round calicles or angular plates ; below this it is a smooth system of 

 solid frosted plates or granules, with continually narrowing furrows between. On the upper 

 side the tubercles are small, but they combine to form the protuberant outer walls of the 

 sloping calicles, and are then either distinct or fused into irregularly swollen margins. There 

 is thus no uniformity in the protuberant calicles. 



Near the growing edge the streaming layer runs out into^free processes more or less in the 

 direction of growth, the smaller ones (5 to 6 mm. long) are smooth undifferentiated ccenen- 

 chyma, the larger and longer (12 mm.) are variously ridged and covered with tubercles 



