OCR Text |
Show 1900.] MARINE FAUNA OF CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 119 III. On the Madreporaria collected by Mr. C. W. Andrews at Christmas Island. By H . M . B E R N A R D. There are in all 42 specimens including fragments, representative of the following groups or genera:- Caryophyllince. Caulastrcea. Dendrophyllia. Galaxea. Madrepora. Mussa. Montipora. Leptoria. Porites. Cceloria. Goniopora. Prionastrcea. Pocillopora. Agaricia. Goniastrcea. Of these, one Madrepore, two Montipores, and one Goniastrcea are described as new species, while it is suggested that the specimen provisionally named Caulastrcea may belong to a new genus. The specimens are often very fragmentary, and those in spirit are obscured by soft parts, making their determination difficult. In most cases, however, the genera have been easily recognized, but the specific identifications are entirely provisional. It is practically impossible to work out small collections of Corals in the present unsatisfactory state of Madreporarian systematics. The approximate determinations of the fragments will, however, be sufficient guide as to the general characters of the representatives of the several genera. The biological notes were added by Mr. Andrews. CARYOPHYLLINCE M.-E. & H. There are three small solitary corals growing side by side, the largest of which is 5*5 m m . high, evenly cylindrical,- and 3-5 m m. in diameter ; the smallest, also cylindrical, is 2*25 m m . in diameter but with the base embedded so that the height is not ascertainable. The specimens are in spirit, with the soft parts completely obscuring the columella and pali, on which the generic and specific characters of this family are founded. There are three cycles of septa in both small and large specimens, of which the primaries are slightly exsert, and apparently laterally granulate or echinulate. The living flesh extends to a variable distance down the outer walls. Genus DENDROPHYLLIA de Blainville. DENDROPHYLLIA EHRENBERGIANA. Ccenopsammia ehrenbergiana Klunzinger, Cor. iii. p. 56, pi. viii. 9. There are two specimens, which come nearer to this type in the method of growth than to any other recorded species. The difference between Dendrojjhgllia and Ccenopsammia is merely the meeting of the septa in the former, which appears to me very unimportant. Hence I have not hesitated to place these two |