142 



EOCENE AND LOWER OLmOCENE CORAL FAUNAS. 



GeniLs FAVIA Oken. 



Pavia merriami sp. UOV. 



PI. XV, figs. .") to .5c. 



Coralluiu subpluue or loiiuded above, massive. The species is based on 

 three broken specimens, nearly of a size. PI. XV, fio-. 5, represents the 

 best and smallest specimen, natural size. The condition of preservation 

 of the material is, as is unf(jrtnnately too often the case with the fossil 

 species, not satisfactory. The calices are elliptical. The following gives 

 measurements of several : 



Some calices are almost circular, with a diameter of 4.5 mm. The 

 calices are from 2 to 3 mm. apart. The walls between the corallites are 

 thick (2 to 3 mm.), and usually compact; are evidentlj- formed of fused 

 costse; correspondingly, sometimes the costjie can in the- sections be traced 

 some distance across the area between the corallites. On the ujjper surface 

 of the corallum costiB correspond to all septa and extend from one ealice to 

 the next. They are low, sometimes flattened above or slightly acute, 

 minutely granulated, straight or somewhat flexuous. Septa, in ealice No. 1 

 of the above table, about 33 in number. The number for the fullv grown 

 calices seems to vary between 30 and 36: younger calices mav have onh- 

 24. The various cycles are not distinctly indicated. There is usualh- a 

 fairly regular alternation in size of the septa, the larger ones reaching the 

 columella. They are thick, thicker at the wall, and have paliform thick- 

 enings on their iimer ends. Faces granulate. Dissepiments very well 

 developed, thin, 1.5 to 2.5 nun. apart in the longitudinal section of the 

 corallites. The character of the septal margins is not shown 1)y the 

 material at hand. The calicular fossae are extremely shallow, or are 

 almost supei-ficial. The columella is false, large, well developed. 



Locality. — iSouthcru California. 



Horizon. — Cretaccous ? 



Types. — United States National Museum. 



