FOSSIL CORALS FROM WEST INDIES WELLS 105 



MADRACIS (?) species 



Plate 4, Figures 14, 15 



Description. — A fragmentary specimen is doubtfully placed in this 

 genus. The branch is about G.5 mm in diameter and is marked by 

 what appears to be an axial corallite, a feature not present in 

 Madracis. The calices are shallow, widely separated, and not pro- 

 jecting, except the axial corallites, which occupy the tops of conical 

 protrusions indicating the formation of a new branch. Their diam- 

 eter varies from 1.8 mm to 2 mm. There are 10 well-developed 

 septa, which join the broad styliform columella. Between them are 

 10 very rudimentary septa. The surface of the coenenchyme between 

 the corallites is not costulate but finely striate and granulate. The 

 coenenchyme is very dense to a depth of 0.75 mm, the interior of 

 the branch being cellular or open in the region of the axial corallite. 



Spccim.en.—U.S.'^M. no. 44302. 



Occurrence. — In a conglomerate band in the Scotland beds in the 

 Spa Estate, 2 miles southwest of Bissex Hill, Barbados (Trechmann 

 collection). 



Remarks. — It is unfortunate that the single specimen of this inter- 

 esting form is not more complete, because the apparent presence of 

 an axial corallite separates it from the genera of the Seriatoporidae, 

 the rest of the characters linking it to Madracis. If the axial coral- 

 lite is really present it would indicate a new genus bearing approxi- 

 mately the same relation to Madracis as Archohelia does to Oculina. 



Trenchmann's Siylocoenia (?) sp. (1925, pi. 24, fig. 47) appears to 

 be a Madracis, but his figure is not clear enough to identify the 

 species. 



Genus TROCHOCYATHUS Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848 



TROCHOCYATHUS (?) species 



Specimen.— Bvii. Mus. (N.H.) no. R29CS8. 



Occurrence. — In a conglomerate band in the Scotland beds on the 

 Spa Estate, 2 miles southv/est of Bissex Hill, Barbados (Eomanes 

 collection). 



Remarks. — One specimen, placed doubtfully in this genus, is a 

 portion of a conical corallum of a caryophyllid coral that has lost 

 both calice and base. The exterior is worn away. The septa number 

 40 and appear to alternate regularly in size. The longer ones bear 

 pali, which form two crowns around the columella. The columella 

 is well developed and fascicular. 



It is not unlikely that this is a species of Paracyathus, but the lack 

 of a basal portion of the specimen prevents the settling of this point. 

 Paracyathus henekeni Duncan (18G3, p. 426) of the lower Miocene 

 of San Domingo is a much smaller species. 



