FAMILIES AND GENEEA OF THE MADREPORARIA. 



183 



the base, from which buds arise. Corallites cylindrical or nearly 

 so, connected by thin creeping expansions, which have the same 

 texture as the wall. Calices subcircular or elliptical. Septa thin, 

 crowded, a little projecting, arranged in four or five cyles ; last 

 cycle well developed, uniting to those of the preceding cycle, 

 which rise up in the form of prominent paliform lobes, beyond 

 which the central region of the calice is deep. Columella very 

 porous and its surface 23apiliose. Wall very porous. No epi- 

 theca. Costse scarcely distinct, represented by series of rough 

 granules. 



Distribution. — decent. Pacific, Pearl Islands. 



II. Family MADEEPOEID^ {^ars), Ed. # B. 



This family corresponds to the subfamily Madreporinse, Ed. & 

 H. It is necessary to give the subfamily the position of a family, 

 not only because the Eupsammidse have become a family, but also 

 because it is evident that the great genus Madrepora will even- 

 tually be largely subdivided. The subfamily Turbinarinse, Ed. & 

 H., is included in this family. 



Colonial perforate Madreporaria, increasing by gemmation ; 

 coenenchyma more or less abundant, spongy, and reticulate, 

 slightly or not distinct from the porous corallite-walls. Septa 

 lamellar, slightly porous, or else solid, variable in number and 

 size. Calices prominent or sunken. 



Alliances : — Madreporoida, Turbinaroida. These alliances were 

 subfamilies according to Milne-Edwards and Jules Haime. 



I. AUiance MADREPOROIDA. 



Madreporidse with diverse shapes, usually ramose or foliaceous or 

 incrusting. Coenenchyma moderate or considerable. Septa with two oppo- 

 site primaries larger than others. Interseptal loculi with dissepiments. 

 Gemmation symmetrical or not, extracalicular. Calices more or less pro- 

 minent and variable in shape. 



Genus Madrepora, Linnaeus. 

 Subgenus Isopora, Studer. 



Grenus Madrepora, Linnctus, Syst. Nat. edit. x. p. 793, 

 amended. 



Colony very variable in shape, branching, bush-shaped, 



