203 



CHAPTER VIII. 



SYRINGOPORID^. 



In the family of the Syringoporidce^ as typified by Syringopora 

 itself, there is a fasciculate corallum, commencing in the form of 

 a reticulated tubular expansion, which sends up at intervals 

 vertical, more or less cylindrical corallites, enclosed in strong 

 compact walls. The corallites are either completely free, as 

 regards absolute contact, or only touch each other occasionally 

 at limited points, and their visceral chambers communicate 

 directly by means of hollow connecting-processes, into which 

 the tabulae are prolonged. Delicate spiniform septa are usually 

 present. The tabulae are well developed, more or less funnel- 

 shaped, and often forming an axial tube in the median line of 

 the visceral chamber. 



The type of this family is Syringopora, Goldf , which was 

 placed by Milne-Edwards and Haime (Brit. Foss. Cor. Intr., p. 

 Ixii, 1850) with Haly sites and Thecostegites in the tribe Haly- 

 sitincB of the family Chcetetidce. Subsequently, the same authors, 

 while retaining Syringopora in the same systematic position, 

 associated with it the additional genera Flekkeria, E. and H., 

 and CJionostegites, E. and H. (Pol. Foss. des Terr. Pal., p. 280, 

 185 1). The only other genera that subsequent authors have 

 shown a disposition to associate with Syringopora are Canna- 

 pora. Hall, and Aulopora, Goldf. 



Of the above genera, Haly sites, Fischer, is shown conclu- 

 sively, by its minute structure, to have no genuine affinities 

 with Syi'ingopora, and must therefore be retained in the mean- 



