PLATE CLVII. 



We are under no difficulty in identifying this curious Coral 

 body with the Madrepore, specifically denominated by Mr. Ellis 

 " radiata," excepting only that the specimen now before us is in a 

 more perfect state than the example represented in the work of 

 Zoophytes published by Solander, from the papers and drawings of 

 that acute and ingenious naturalist. 



The near affinity of this species with Madrepora favosa will 

 be perceived : its characteristic distinctions are however prominent, 

 and leave no doubt upon the mind that they are really distinct. In 

 Madrepora favosa the stars on the surface are crowded, and in some 

 degree intertexted ; in this they are distinct, even from the base, and 

 though placed contiguous to each other, appear conspicuously 

 separate upon the upper surface, as well as in the transverse section 

 of the base ; a pretty deep avenue surrounds each star, the centre or 

 disk is concave and rather deep, and in the centre appears a little eleva- 

 tion, the prominent focus in which the lamellous plates unite, and 

 whence they diverge like rays, rising gradually towards the margin 

 and forming on its loftiest elevation a distinct circle of pointed pro- 

 cesses : from this margin or circle of points, each of the plates of 

 which they are formed decline outwardly upon the avenues which 

 surround the cells, and thus renders its stellated figure complete. 

 It should be also added, that each of the plates, when viewed per- 

 pendicularly as they lie in the cavity of the cell, appear to consist of 

 two plates united laterally, the edge of each being marked down the 

 centre with a small sulcation or furrow. 



We have been the more minute in the detail of those particulars, 

 the species being rare, and the example described and figured by 

 Mr. Ellis, as before intimated, a very imperfect or injured specimen. 



This species is a native of the American seas. 



