A New Species of Fungia

Among the Fungid corals, which Dr. van Oort, the director of the Leyden Museum, has put at my disposal to examine, for which I feel extremely grateful, there were two specimens, which differ so much from all previously recorded forms, that I have no hesitation in describing them as a new species. Fungia moluccensis nov. spec. Corallum oval in shape, heavy; wall with a few slits near the periphery, otherwise solid, aboral surface concave. Margin of the corallum rounded. Upper surface much arched round the axial fossa, at the edge equally thick. Central area of the under surface densely granulated. Ribs only distinct at the periphery, unequal. The larger ones extend farther to the centrum; in the central area they continue for some distance like rows of granulations. All ribbs are densely granulated and provided with short irregular spines. Septa unequal, those of the higher cycles fuse together. The smaller septa with minute teeth, between which deep, often overbridged incisions. Edges of the larger septa irregular, very densely granulated. Therefore these septa seem thicker than they are in reality. The sides of the septa do not show many granulations. I have before me two specimens of these species. One was collected by Mr. Reinwardt in the Moluccas, the origin of the other is unknown. Dimensions of the specimens in mm. locality length breadth height thickness round the axial fossa thickness at the edge length of axial fossa Moluccas 106 92 47 29 13 25 unknown 150 108 55 35 15 40