2’10 
LECTURE Xlli 
or on the winding laminated part of the surface^ 
according to the different species. The Madre-^ 
pores afe of a stony hardness, and this stony or 
calcarious substance is perpetually secreted or de- 
posited from the gelatinous animal part. The 
genus Madrepora is not only very numerous but 
very intricate f many of the species being difficult 
to describe, and their synonyms being often 
confounded by different authors. The very large 
globular Madrepores, covered with a winding or 
running pattern in the manner of a labyrinth, are 
commonly called Brainstones, and are often seen 
of such a siz^e as to measure nearly two feet in di- 
ameter : othei’S of similar shape are covered over 
with numerous star-shaped spots or impressions. 
Of the branched Madrepores one of the most re- 
markable is that called the Cinnamon Coral or 
Cinnamon Madrepore : it is often about a foot in 
height, and of a pale brown colour, and when 
recent, is said to diffuse a fragrant smell* The 
muricated Madrepore is distinguished by its 
remarkably roughened surface, rising into innu- 
merable prominences, each perforated at the tip. 
This species varies, perhaps more than any other 
of the Coral tribe, exhibiting all the diversities^ 
