CORALS FROM THE INFERIOR OOLITE. 137 
Microphylia the furrows are deeper, and the costa, according to M. D’Orbigny, are 
dichotomous.’ As to the differences in the general form of the compound corallum, we have 
found every intermediate degree between the massive astreiform species, and the sub- 
dendroid species, without seeing any difference in the structure of the corallites, and all 
these modifications exist sometimes in different parts of the same specimen. We must 
therefore conclude that, contrary to what is the case in most of the Astreide, the greater 
or lesser degree of approximation of the corallites or their mode of cementation, is here a 
circumstance of no zoological value, and must not be employed as a basis for generical 
divisions. We consequently do not deem it advisable to adopt the three genera above 
mentioned, and prefer placing all these species in the genus Latomeandra. The group 
thus formed is remarkable for the manner in which the submarginal calicular gemmation 
takes place, and by its costulated, naked walls ; this last-mentioned character distinguishes 
it from the genus Jsastrea, which resembles it much by the structure of the corallites, but 
in which the calices are circumscribed. 
Latomeandra Flemingi differs from most species of the same genus by its septa being 
very thin and very numerous. In Z. corrugata they are, however, even more numerous, 
and become frequently adherent together, a disposition which is not met with in the above- 
described fossil. 
2. Laromeanpra Davipsoni. Tab. XXVII, figs. 10, 10a. 
Corallum composite, massive, and very convex. Intercalicular ridges simple and not 
much elevated. Furrows short, shallow, and containing a few very distinct calicular centres. 
Septa rather closely set, slightly thick outwards, irregularly unequal in size, generally 
curved and delicately crenulated at their edge. Breadth of the calices about two lines. 
This fossil belongs to Dr. Wright’s collection, and was found in the Inferior Oolite at 
Crickley, near Cheltenham. 
L. Davidsoni may be easily distinguished from the other species of the same genus by 
the small number and the thickness of its septa. The species which it resembles most are 
the one described above’ and Z. Meriani,® but in these the septa are at least as thick 
towards the centre of the calice as outwards, and the calices are shallower. 
IS Opraciiz, parce 
? Latomeandra Flemingi, tab. xxvii, fig. 9. 
3 Comophyllia elegans, D’Orbigny, Prod. de Paléont., vol. ii, p. 40; Latomeandra Meriani, Milne 
Edwards and J. Haime, Polyp. des Terr. Paleeoz., &e., p, 86. 
18 
