INTRODUCTION. 



Family VII. 

 PORITIDvE. 



Corallum entirely composed of reticulate sclererichyma. Septal apparatus well 

 developed, but never lamellar, and composed only of series of styliform processes or 

 trabiculae, constituting by then- junction a sort of irregular trellis. Walls presenting the 

 same structure, and not distinct from the ccenenchyma. Visceral chamber containing 

 some small dissepiments, but never divided by tabulae. 



First Tribe— PORITIN^E. 



Ccenenchyma rudimentary, or not existing. 



1. Genus Porites. 



/Pars) Lamarck, Hist, des An. sans Vert., t. ii, p. 26", 181G ; Milne Edw. and J. Haime, Comptes rend., 



t. xxix, p. 258, 1849. 



Corallum composed of sclerenchyma, very irregularly reticulated. Cat ices shallow. 

 Septa jot numerous, rudimentary, and appearing to be represented by a circle of -pali, the 

 apex of which is papillose. 



Typ. sp., Porites conglomerate!, Lamarck, loc. cit., p. 2C9. 



2. Genus Lithar.ea. 

 Milne Edw. and J. Haime, Comptes rend., t. xxix, p. 2orf, 1849. 



Sclerenchyma very irregularly reticulated. Calices not very dec]). Volumdla spongv. 

 Pali rudimentary, or not existing. Septa well developed, particularly towards the wall. 



Typ. sp., Litharcea Websteri, nob. ; Astrea Websteri, Bowerbank, Mag. of Nat. llisi., new xiies. 

 vol. iv, p. 27, figs. A, B, 1840. 



3. Genm Coscinae.ea. 



Milne Edw. and J. Haime, Comptes rend, de l'Ac. des Sc, t. xxvii, p. 49ti, 184S. 



Corallum of a dense structure. Calices rather deep ; neither pali, nor distinct walls. 

 ■Septa crowded, very regularly fenestrate, and with enspate edges, passing without anv 

 interruption from one visceral chamber to the adjacent one. No epitheca. 



Typ. sp., Cosciuarcea liottce, Milne Edw. and J. Haime, Ann. des Sc. "Vat., 'A'"" serie, vol. ix, tab. v, tig. 2. 



