92 the pkoceedinqs of the linnean society 



On Three New Genera and One New Species of Madreporaria 

 Corals, by the Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, RL.S., F.G.S., 

 &c., &c., Hon. Corr. Mem. Linn. Soc, N. S. Wales. 

 The corals which I now describe T believe to be new, and are 

 most interesting. Two are from Fiji (Nandi) and the other two 

 are extratropical and Australian. The first belongs to the family 

 Turhinolidce, sub-family Turhinolince, group (probably) Flahellacece. 

 It is distinguished however in such a way from Flahellum 

 proper, that in my judgment it should be made the type of a new 

 genus. Flahellum, it will be remembered, is distinguished not 

 only by its compressed calice of many septa, but also by the 

 complete absence of pali and any trace of a columella. The 

 septa are however often thickened and spread out on their 

 interior edge at the base of the fossa, making what is called a 

 pseudo columella by their contact. But though they frequently 

 fill up the base of the fossa, yet the opposite septa do not unite. 

 In the specimen to which I draw attention, the primary and 

 tertiary septa which are opposite to one another do unite without 

 any expansion or alteration beyond a slight thickening, and thus 

 the spaces included between the primaries and secondaries 

 become complete compartments, extending continuously from 

 one side of the calice to the other. The form of the calice also 

 is certainly not flabellate. It is broadly elliptical, and narrowed 

 very little below until it suddenly rounds off to a small pedicel. 

 The peculiar ornamentation of the base, and the general contour 

 forcibly remind one of an urn or ornamental vase. The affinities 

 of the genus are probably more with Sphenotrochus than 

 Flahellum, and if the specimen were in a little better state 

 of preservation, one could speak more positively as to the 

 epitheca and the edge of the calice. From the general aspect of 

 the corallum, I propose for the genus the name of Vasillum. The 

 following is the diagnosis : — 



Vasillum. New genus. 



Corallum generally resembling Sphenotrochus, but in place of a 

 columella the septa of opposite sides of the calice unite to form 

 separate compartments. 



