20 
——— 
specimens of the latter exhibit only from three to five of the curved tabule of the outer area 
in the space of an inch; whereas examples of 6. approximatum present no less than from 
ten to fourteen tabulz in the same space. Whether this character is one of specific value or 
not, may be questioned ; but I think it advisable to refer provisionally the specimens which 
exhibit it, to a new species. 
Locality and Formation.—Corniferous Limestone of Port Colborne. 
Genus CLIsSIoPHYLLUM (Dana). 
The genus Clisiophyllum is in an unsatisfactory condition, different palzeontologists hav- 
ing included under this head Cyathophylloid corals which exhibit considerable differences in 
structure. This will be evident, if we compare together the definitions of the genus given by 
three distinguished authorities. Milne Edwards and Jules Haime define the genus as follows : 
“Qorallum simple, turbinate. Sepia well developed, and rising towards the centre of the 
calice so as to form a spuvious columella, but not twisted.” 
Prof. McCoy defines Clisiophyllwm as follows: ‘‘ Corallum simple, branched or aggregate, 
with vertical radiating lamellz ; a thin epitheca or outer wall; internal structwre—(vertical 
section), central area composed of small vesicular plates and cells converging or arching 
upwards towards the centre, so as to form a conical boss in the cup; no distinct central axis ; 
outer area of small cellular structure, inclining in the opposite direction or upwards and out- 
wards, separation between these areas formed by an intermediate area of larger, nearly hori- 
zontal, cellular structure ; (horizontal section) a large central area of small irregular cellular 
texture, from which the primary lamellee radiate to the outer walls, intermediate zone with 
few vesicular plates between the lamellae; outer zone having the primary and secondary 
lumellze connected by very numerous vesicular plates.” 
According to Mr Billings, lastly, the corals of the genus CV/isvophyllum “ have the same 
general external form as those of the genus Zuphrentis, and their internal structure is also the 
same, except that the transverse diaphragms are elevated in the centre so as to form a small 
conical protuberance in the bottom of the cup, and, further, they are enveloped in an outer 
area composed of vesicular tissue. The septal fossette is small, and in worn specimens its 
place is often indicated by the prominence of one of the septa on the outside, which, being 
stronger than the others, forms a longitudinal angular ridge. ‘The cells of the tissue which 
fills the outer area, slope upwards and outwards.”’ 
It will thus be seen that high authorities differ widely as to the structure of the corals 
_which compose the genus Clisiophyllum. The most prominent distinguishing character of 
th@genus is admitted to be the presence of a conical boss or projection at the bottom of the 
calice; but there are grave discrepancies of statement as to the manner in which this projec- 
tion is formed. According to Milne Edwards and Haime the boss is formed by the rising of 
the septa of the coral towards the centre so as to constitute a spurious lamellar columella— 
the tabula: being comparatively poorly developed, and the genus being thus widely removed 
from Zuphrentis. According to McUoy, again, there are no central tabule, in the proper 
sense of the term, and the central projection is formed by the elevation and convergence of the 
cells of a central vesicular area—this also removing the genus widely from Zaphrentis. 
Lastly, Mr. Billings considers that the central boss is formed by the elevation ofa series of 
well-developed tabulz ; and he places the genus in the immediate neighbourhood of Zaphren- 
fis, or considers, at any rate, that the two genera are very closely allied. 
The above discrepancies are so great that it seems probable that several forms, in reality 
belonging to different genera have been referred to Clisiophyllum. Without, however, pre- 
tending to decide this point, I shall simply describe here the previously recorded Clisiophyllum 
Oneiduense ( Billings), from the Corniferous Limestone of Ontario, together with a related but 
undescribed form, merely remarking that neither appears referable to the genus Clisiophyllum 
as defined by McCoy. 
9. CLISIOPHYLLUM ONEIDAENSE (Billings). 
(Plate IV. Figs. 4, 5). 
Clisiophyllum Oneidaense (Billings), Canadian Journal, New Series, Vol. iv, p. 128. 
Corallum simple, turbinate, cylindrical or cylindro-conic, often curved, Central area 
occupied by strong transverse diaphragms or tabula, which are more or less strongly elevated 
o 
