Variations in Turbinaria. By F. Jeffrey Bell. 
149 
As I have already said, the specimens are full of interest from the 
points of view of variation and of specific distinctness ; a reference to 
plates II. and III. will show the marked differences in the size of 
the calicles in T. mesenterina. In plate II., which gives a photo- 
graphic representation of 9 in. of one specimen, there are to be 
seen such great differences as calicles twice, or even more than twice, 
as large as others; again, calicles are so closely packed that five 
are to be found, where, near them, there are only three in a 
space of the same length ; here the growth is flat, there there are 
projecting knobs. So, again, at some other point, there may be seen 
a large flat plate with a free rounded edge, the whole made up of 
subequal calicles, while there is to the left a projecting rounded 
clump of calicles twice as large. But it would be a waste of time, 
with such figures as those taken by Mr. Highley before the student, 
for me to expatiate on differences that will strike the least attentive. 
A close inspection of the figures just referred to shows that each 
contains portions which, if separated from one another and sent to a 
cabinet naturalist without any warning, would assuredly he described 
by him as different and distinct species. A study of the specimens as 
a whole will show that the figures here given are fair and typical 
examples of what is to be seen in many parts of the coral. Yariation 
as extensive as this is certainly unexpected. I, perhaps, who had the 
advantage of watching the investigations of my lamented friend George 
Brook, am better prepared for variability in Corals than those who 
have not at hand a large collection, but I must confess that I was 
not a little astonished at the differences which I found in a few square 
inches of T. mesenterina. A knowledge of this variability will help 
us to understand the difficulty which, it is well known, all students of 
Corals have in determining specimens of the genus Turbinaria. By 
specimens here I mean, of course, those more or less scrappy pieces 
which have hitherto satisfied the collector. 
With regard to the collector of the future, it must he said that he 
must not content himself with chips and scraps. The difficulty of 
sending corals weighing several tons will remain so great that it is 
not necessary to warn him that there are limits to the part of a 
Museum that can be devoted to the exposition of Corals. 
For the future describer of Corals the matter is more serious ; it 
becomes at once obvious that it is impossible to frame anything like a 
satisfactory diagnosis of any Coral of encrusting habit unless a piece of 
some size is at his disposal ; while it is no less clear that it would be 
no difficult task to give different specific names to pieces which might be 
shown by a larger example to he but parts of “ one stupendous whole.” 
