Pocillopora -2- 
Duncan ( op. sup. cit .) gives the following description of 
the genus: 
"Colony of clusters of "branches, or lobes, or fronds of 
various dimensions, which arise from a more or less compact in- 
crusting base. Branches often with rudimentary branchlets or 
verrucose, Corallites crowded terminally, angular, and closely 
united by their walls; on the sides of branches they are more or 
less separated by compact coenenchyraa which is sharply spinulose 
or granular. Calices small, may be deep or shallow, circular or 
angular, often filled, below the surface, by a solid deposit. 
The corallites are crossed by tabulae. Septa narrow, often 
rudimentary, especially in the crowded calices at the ends of 
branches, in others longer, usually twelve in number, six larger 
than the others. Columella when present small, solid little 
prominent on the upper tabulae. Tabulae often incomplete in 
middle. Increase by gemmation. Pissiparity very rare* Polyps 
with 12 tentacles, and a single pair of long mesenterial fila- 
ments 
