uninterruptedly from one polyp-centre to another. If the polyp-disks,
therefore, should be coalescent in a plane in all directions, instead of
in simple meandering lines, there would be no proper interstices
between the polyps, and no cells, and the lamelle would be con-
tinuous in every direction, from one centre to another. It hence
appears, that the peculiarities of the Fungide consist in the absence
of all interstices between the stars, and a uniform continuation of a
single compound disk-surface over the whole. The process of budding,
therefore, although seemingly like that of the Echinopore, is actually
identical with that of the Meruline, in which buds open in the extend-
ing disks. The compound free Fungide, the Agaricie, the Pavone,
are equally good examples of the characters here explained. In the
Polyphyllie, the union of adjacent polyps is so close, that there is
not even a separate series of tentacles to each polyp-mouth, and this
character separates these species from the allied Herpetolithi.
79. Modes of branching. In species of Astreeide, which form cali-
cularly-branched coralla, the disks widen and subdivision takes place
as in the Astrea above explained, except that the subdivision con-
tinues in progress until the two polyps are
distinct at base, and each forms a separate
branch. ‘The annexed figure represents the
* whole process. On one branch, two polyp-
mouths already exist in the enlarged disk,
and at the extremity of the other, furcation
has commenced; the furcation seen below,
is an example of the subdivision completed.
