12 JONES — ON WATL'KAL- HISTOI'.r OF THK B^lCRMt'DASV 



scrubby appearance. Although as a rule it is <>cncrHlly arbores-- 

 cent, yet I have examples in my collection where it has assumed 

 the habit of incrustation l>oth upon a piece of coal, and the- 

 neck of a common wine bottle. This character, however, is- 

 clearly exceptional, for it continues but for a shoi-t space ere it 

 rises into the usual branched form. The polyps are in colour 

 of a dull greenish hue, and the appearance of a. s})ecimen of 

 this coral when fresh from its native element is anything but 

 prepossessing ; and it is only when properly cleaned and 

 prepared for the cabinet that it presents the delicate and beau- 

 tiful formation, which renders it so valuable in the estimittion of 

 collectors. 



Oculina varicosa,- Les. 



This splendid coral is by no means common, at least not with 

 the polyp cells highly protuberant. The tinest specimens are 

 obtained on the north reef, and sometimes the handsome sjjon- 

 dylas is found adliering to their bases. When well cleaned 

 and prepared for the cabinet I know of r.o more delicate and 

 i)eautiful looking coral. It is very rare in collections. 'J^he 

 branches of this s[)ecics are much thicker and more separate 

 than those of the preceding species, and are frequently entwined 

 by the smaller serpnkc. 



OcuUncc Yalenciennesii, Edw. 



This form is not common, and I have rarely found it in large 

 masses. The mammiform nature of tlie polyp cells at once 

 characterize it as a very marked variety from the two former 

 species. In some cases the cells are alsc depressed, and even 

 recedent, and these characters may be found combined on one 

 stem. It tapers strongly from the base to the apex of the 

 branches, which are unusually erect, and without lateral shoots 

 until within a short distance of their apical terminations. 



It is a fact perhaps worthy of note that these three species of 

 Bermuda oculinas begin to decay at their bases as they grow 



