OCR Text |
Show 1899.] ASTRcEJD CORALS FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC. 743 3. CO:LORIA ASTR.EIFORMIS Milne-Edwards & Haime. (Plate X L V I . fig. 4.) Astroria astrceiformis, Milne-Edwards & Haime, Ann. des Sc. Nat. ser. 3, xi. p. 299 (1849). Cceloria astrceiformis, Milne-Edwards & Haime, Cor. ii. p. 417 (1857). I have, with great hesitation, referred four specimens to this exceedingly ill-characterized species. The colonies have the same form of growth as the two preceding species, but I never found them in such large masses. The calices are usually circumscribed, seldom forming valleys more than 1*5 cm. long. The theca is very thin and almost perfect. The third cycle of septa is nearly complete, but narrow, not reaching the columella. The primary and secondary septa are very thin, and hence appear somewhat distant; they are seldom more than *5 m m . exsert, and are narrow above, increasing abruptly at the level of the columella. The columella is formed by twisted lamellate trabeculae from the septal edges, and varies considerably in size. It is always distinct in section, and ends above in a few fine spines. Breadth of the valleys 4-5 mm.; depth of the same 3-4 m m . Septa, 11-12 in 1 cm. Funafuti; lagoon, two specimens. Wakaya, Fiji; reef, two specimens. The corallum in all its different parts is rather coarser in the Wakayan specimens. In the smaller, a mere fragment from the extreme edge of the reef, some of the calices are 6 m m . broad and 5 m m . deep. 4. CCELORIA ESPERI Milne-Edwards & Haime. (Plate X L V I . fig. 5.) Madrepora dcedalea (pars), Esper, Forts. Pflanz. i. p. 63, pl. lvii. fig. 2 (1797). Astroria esperi, Milne-Edwards & Haime, Ann. des Sc. Nat. ser. 3, xi. p. 298 (1849). Cceloria esperi, Milne-Edwards & Haime, Cor. ii. p. 417 (1857). I a m very doubtful whether this species is really distinct from C. dcedalea, but yet, as m y specimen (a dome-shaped mass 14 by 11 cm. by 7 cm. high) agrees almost perfectly with the above descriptions and exhibits little variety over its surface, I have retained the species. Besides the differences from G. dcedalea given in the above references, m y specimen shows the following :-Epitheca of the same character, but thin and imperfect. Longest series 1*7 cm. Theca quite perfect. Septa seldom more than 1*5 m m . exsert, sloping more gradually, and with long spiniform teeth for 1-2 m m . above the columella. Columella less reduced, with no marked spines on its surface. Breadth of the valleys 5*5-6*5 mm.; depth of the same 5 m m . Septa, 13-15 in 1 cm. Rotuma; loc. incert. 48* |