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Show 948 MR. J. S. GARDINER ON CORALS [Dec. 14, upper calices of the branches, and in many of the lower are almost distinct. Levuka, Fiji ; 3 fathoms. Funafuti; 30 fathoms. Two specimens, weighing 41 and 13 grams, were obtained from the chain of a buoy in Levuka Harbour, which had been cleaned less than 22 months before. Var. LIGULATA (Dana). Pocilloporu llgulutu, Dana, Zoophytes, p. 531, pl. 50. fig. 2. Pocillopora ligulata, Verrill, Eroc. Essex Inst. vol. vi. 1868, p. 95. A small specimen closely resembles this " species " of Dana, but many of its calices are intermediate in their septa to P. aspera, and the colony also closely resembles in its growth that species. In some of its cells the tertiary septa can be traced, and in others the septa approach to those of P. plicata of Dana. Funafuti; 7 fathoms. Although I have only had the opportunity of examining a very limited number of specimens, as I can find no distinctive characters, I have no hesitation in combining P. aspera, P. dance, P. ligulata, and P. plicata under one species with three varieties; I only doubt the propriety of characterizing varieties by their septa and columella, as it seems to m e that the term " variety" should be kept in the Madreporaria for colonies the general growth of which differs in some important respect from that of the type. 14. BOCILLOPORA VERRUCOSA (Ellis & Solander). Madrepora verrucosa, Ellis & Solander, Zoophytes, p. 172. Pocillopora verrucosa, Dana, Zoophytes, p. 529, pl. 50. figs. 3-3ff. Pocillopora verrucosa, Quelch, Challenger Eeport on Beef-Corals, p. 69. I have referred a somewhat recumbent branch to this species. Its verrucae are 4-5 mms. long by 2-3 mms. broad, and lie entirely on the upper surface of the branch. The septa are indistinct, but the columella is large and very spinulous. Botuma; outer reef. 15. POCILLOPORA SQUARROSA, Dana. Pocillopora squarrosa, Dana, Zoophytes, p. 530, pl. 50. fig. 5. I have referred three specimens to this species. The corallum forms loose clumps about 30 cms. in diameter by 18 cms. high. The species is well characterized by the low crowded verrucae, which completely cover over the sides and tbe somewhat compressed and lobed apices of the branches. The surface of the ccenenchyma, which is fairly abundant, is completely covered over by short somewhat variable spines, and there are in the lower calices of the branches 12 very distinct septa, of which one |