I 102 1 
varying dimensions. In a dead or bleaclied coral we see, of 
course, nothing of the polyps. All that remains are the calicles. 
the littlt; skeletal cups which enclose and protect each polyp. 
Those calicles are sometimes only the size of a pin's head, as in 
a Staghorn Coral or they may be H inch across, as in a Star 
Coral. In the solitary Corals th-* individuals are generally 
much larger, reaching a foot in Fungia. We shall tncntion now 
seven of the more important families of the Stony Corals. 
The Madrcpotidae are the largest and best known family. They 
include the familiar Staghorn Cora] {Madreponi alcrcornis) (see 
pi, XX, fig. 0. which grows in abundance on the reef at Blakang 
Mati, However, not ait species of Madrcptmt have such long 
and slender branches. Sometimes the branches are short and 
thick so that the stock resembles a cauliflower [M. com in ft n). 
At other times the stock forms a large flat reticulated mass. 
Such a coral is M. reiknhihi, of which a specimen, presented by 
Mr. Ladds, is exhibited. It had been picked in October 1896 
by the Cable Ship ' Sherard Oiborns/ in the Ball Straits, at a 
depth of 15 fathoms where it had grown round a cable laid in 
1888. As the specimen measures 4 feet 5 inches by 2 feet 8 
inches, it gives a proof of the rapid growth of Corals. To the 
same family belongs Turbinaria. One species, T. crater, is cup- 
shaped, whilst r. peitata, very common locally, is distinguished 
by its large eye-like calicles. The Poritidae grow in more solid 
masses and are generally found in the lower and outer parts of 
a reef, where they form a kind of base and protection for the 
more fragile species like the Staghorn Corals. A huge palmate 
mass of a Pontes sp., from Blakang Mati, is exhibited, also a 
large encrusting Ponies from Christmas I., the surface of which 
is raised into a number of stout cones. The TurbimHidae are 
usually solitary. To this family belongs CaryophylUd, one of the 
few corals found in the seas around Great Britian. It never 
forms reefs and is cup-like. Closely allied is Fhibdltutt which 
has the shape of a compressed cup. The Ocidinidae grow in 
tree-like colonies, the calicles standing far apart from each other. 
Such a Coral is L&pJiohelki, found in deep water of the W. Coast 
of Scotland and elsewhere. Very similar is Solenosmilia of 
which there is a specimen, given by Mr. Ladds, from lat. 8' 3' 
S., long 115 6' E., depth 100 fathoms. The Af/raWf/fit'or Star 
Corals are thus called from the star-like shape of the calicles. 
They include Galaxea in which the calicles are slightly separa- 
ted from each other ; Mussa sp., (see pi. XX, fig. 6); the Brain 
Coral Meiittdritui, thus called from its brain-like convolutions : 
