CORALS FROM THE UPPER CHALK. A9 
We must also remark that, in a note just published, our able friend M. Aicide 
dOrbigny' refers to the Caryophyllia or Parasmilia centralis as the type of a new genus, 
designated under the name of Cyclosmilia, and characterised in the following terms: 
“Cyclosmilia are Parasmilia, in which the loculi are but very little divided by dissepiments, 
the growth of the corallum is intermittent, the calice circular instead of being oval, and 
the external coste distant from each other.” Now, with the exception of this last 
peculiarity, which is not even met with in P. centralis, all these characters may be seen in 
every species belonging to our genus Parasmilia, and we therefore can find no reason for 
separating from it this new generic division. 
2. Parasminia Mantevi. Tab. VIII, fig. 2, 2a. 
We have as yet seen but one specimen of this species, which appears to be very distinct 
from all others. It is a small corallum, nearly straight, adherent by a broad basis, regularly 
turbinate, and not very tall; but bemg in all probability susceptible of increasing much in 
height by progress of age, as is the case with the other species belonging to the same genus. 
The coste are narrow, sublamellar, closely set, distinct down to the basis of the corallum, 
very echinulate, and somewhat crispate. Those of the primary and secondary cycla are 
equally developed, and rather more prominent than the others, especially towards the basis 
and the calicular margin; the tertiary ones also extend on the basal expansion of the 
corallum, but are smaller ; and those of the fourth cyclum begin at a short distance above 
the basis, and are very narrow at their lower part. The intercostal furrows are broad, deep, 
and divided by small transverse dissepiments, formed by rudiments of an exotheca. Calice 
circular ; fossula not deep. Colwmella, as far as we can judge by the specimen here 
described, very similar to that of P. centralis. Septa forming four complete cycla; well 
developed, thin, straight, closely set, rather unequal, and presenting well-marked striz 
on their lateral surfaces. Height, seven or eight lines; diameter of the calice, nearly five lines. 
This fossil differs from the other species belonging to the same genus, and more 
especially from P. ceatralis and P. Fittoni, by its costae, which are equally prominent and 
subcrispate, whereas im the latter they are smooth and never sublamellar. It resembles 
more closely P. Gravesiana, P. cylindrica, and P. elongata ; but it differs from them by the 
strong granulations of the costs. In P. serpentina the basis is almost smooth, and the 
septa do not form so many cycla. 
Parasmilia Mantel was met with in the upper chalk at Bromley in Kent, by our 
friend Mr. J. S. Bowerbank. 
1 This paper, bearing the title of ‘ Note sur des Polypiers Fossiles,’ and published on the 10th of 
October, 1849, contains the exposition of the characters of a series of new genera proposed by M. d’Orbigny. 
The author assigns to most of these divisions the date of 1847, a period at which he appears to have adopted 
them in the arrangement of his private collection; but in referring to them here or elsewhere, we have 
considered it proper to quote the year of their publication, which is the only authentic date that could be 
made use of if any question of priority should arise concerning them. 
1 
