The coral collections are relatively small, no more than a few hundred specimens, but include very significant material. The single most important group are the 21 Ellis and Solander corals containing a number of type specimens. These specimens are also associated with Dr John Fothergill, William Hunter and Captain James Cook. John Ellis and Daniel Solander first described these corals in 1786 and some have been the subject of further study to elucidate their taxonomy and long, complex history.

John Graham Kerr acquired specimens by exchanging material with the eminent geologist and coral biologist, Thomas Wayland Vaughan at the Smithsonian and the museum thereby received some specimens from the Dana expedition (James Dana was the zoologist on the United States Exploring Expedition, sailing to the South Seas, in 1838).

The Walker collection, made around Barbados in the 1960’s, was a welcome recent addition to our holdings.

Favites abdita (E.&.S.) 1786