142 • MR. A. E. FINCKH. 



instruments and apparatus, upon the nature of which it is hard to decide before 

 becoming famihar with the work on the spot, when, of course, every opportunity of 

 obtaining the necessary apparatus is gone. As it was, we employed such as was on 

 hand, viz., a steel-yard, capable of weighing from 5 up to 120 lbs., ordinary scales 

 capable of weighing from ^ oz. up to 4 lbs., and an apothecary's scales capable of 

 indicating a difference of 5 grains. Besides these instruments, rules and callipers were 

 available. 



The experiments were carried on in the neighbourhood of the drill camp on the 

 main island, both on the lagoon and ocean platforms. This locality, unfortunately, 

 turned out to be the least favourable spot that could possibly have been selected on 

 the atoll for this work, l)oth on account of the scarcity of coral, and the total 

 absence of such forms as the Hehopora and the branching and knobby varieties of 

 Lithothcminion, which from their importance as reef builders called for special investi- 

 gation. The eventual discovery of localities on the atoll eminently suited for the 

 work, such as Fualopa and Pava islets, was not made before a considerable time had 

 elapsed, when it was too late to begin a fresh series of observations. 



In spite, however, of these drawbacks, the results obtained are decidedly interesting, 

 although it is to be regretted that no information was obtained in reference to the 

 above-mentioned species of Lithotham'nion, both of which, from their mode of growth, 

 are much more suited for the purposes of measurement, than the lichenous form. 



In regard to the weighing, the chief difficulty arose from the fact that broken-off 

 pieces of the organisms had to be experimented upon, and these, in order to be 

 secured, had to be placed in boxes, so that, although they were kept in the same 

 locality, yet the conditions were by no means natural. As to the scales themselves, 

 only the largest were suitable for weighing the coral while immersed in water, so 

 that, as far as the smaller pieces of coral w^ere concerned, this method of weighing had 

 to be abandoned. The weighing in all cases, however, was carried out under identical 

 conditions, the water being allowed to drain off for the same length of time. Thus, 

 the results may be looked upon, in spite of this drawback, as fairly accurate. 



Measuring was miich more easily carried out. It gave better and certainly more 

 accurate results. But, considering that the experiments extended over less than 

 five months, only the fast-growing specimens were expected to show an increase of an 

 order such as could be detected by this means. 



Altogether the following corals and algse were experimented on, and data therefrom 

 inferred,* Porites limosa, the yellow Porites of the lagoon platform ; Hydnoiohora 

 microcona, AstrcBopora ocellata, Pocillopora paucistellata, P. grandis, P. verrucosa, 

 Millepora complanata, M. alcicornis, and Montipora incognita. Of the calcareous 

 algse, Halimeda and lichenous Lithotliamnion were placed under observation. 



* For the specific determination of these corals I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Thomas 

 Whitei-EGGE, of the Australian Museum, who descril)ed the corals obtained by Mr. C. Hedley during the 

 Funafuti Expedition of 1896. (Australian Museum. Memoir III. Part 6, pp. 349-368.) 



