GENERA OF FA VOSITID.E. 45 



Syringolites, Hinde, while possessing the general structure 

 and habit of Favositcs, is entirely separated from it by the fact 

 that the tabulae are infundibuliform, giving rise to a central 

 tube in the axis of the visceral chamber of each corallite ; the 

 genus thus forming a connecting-link between Favosites and 

 certain forms of Syi'ingopora. 



Lastly, Coliirnnopora, Nich., is closely allied to Favosites, 

 but is distinguished by the less intimate union of the corallites, 

 and by the greater development of the system of mural pores, 

 the walls thus becoming completely cribriform. 



As regards the geological range of Favosites, it may be stated 

 with certainty that the genus attained its maximum during the 

 Upper Silurian and Devonian periods. It probably existed 

 durinof the Lower Silurian, thougrh the evidence available on 

 this point is not absolutely satisfactory ; and it was certainly 

 continued into the Carboniferous. The existence, also, of a 

 recent coral which is hardly separable from Favosites proper — 

 namely, the Favositipora of Saville Kent — would indicate that 

 the genus will yet be found in the Secondary and Tertiary 

 deposits, either unmodified or under some allied form. Koninc- 

 kia, E. and H., of the White Chalk, differing from Favosites 

 chiefly in its larger and more approximated mural pores, offers 

 one of these desired continuations of this ancient Coelenterate 

 type ; and my friend Professor C. A. White has recently shown 

 me a coral from the Cretaceous deposits of North America, 

 which assuredly could not be separated from Favosites otherwise 

 than by the apparent — possibly only apparent — absence of 

 mural pores. 



As illustrative species of Favosites, I have selected F. Got/i- 

 landica. Lam., F. Forbesi, E. and H., /^ {Emrnonsici) hemispher- 

 ica, E. and W., F. {ChcEtetes) Boivcrbaiiki, E. and H., and F. 

 clausa, Rom. — the first three of these being massive forms, 

 while the last is a true dendroid species, and F. Bowerbanki 

 offers a transition between these two types. 



