46 
“Thus, it is not uncommon to meet with colonies, in which the great majority of the coral- 
lites have a diameter one and a half lines, whilst some few have a diameter of a line ora 
little less. 
Whilst the mural pores are usually in two rows, there is sometimes but a single row, and 
sometimes three rows ; and single colonies may be found to combine all these variations in 
different corallites. It is probable that the typical forms upon which Goldfuss founded his 
species F’. basaltica, asbelieved by Lonsdale and McCoy, are truly referrible to specimens of F’. 
Gothlandica, (lam). in which but a single row of pores is present. /’. Goldfussi Kdwards and 
Haime, again seems unquestionably to be nothing more than a variety of /. Gothlandica 
as asserted by Mr. Billings, the only distinctive characters brought forward by its authors 
being the unreliable ones that the rows of pores vary from one to three, and that they are 
more closely approximated than in typical examples of the latter. Lastly, the elevated ring 
which is often found surrounding the pores in #’. Gothlandica, is in many cases absent, single 
specimens often exhibiting both conditions. It may be added that the pores themselves, even 
in specimens otherwise well preserved, can by no means universally be detected. 
The tabulz are for the most part complete, extending from one side of the theca to the 
other; but this condition of parts is by no means constant. Specimens, otherwise well pre- 
served, sometimes exhibit a complete absence of the tabula, the corallites being hollow. 
Others exhibit a condition of things similar to what occurs in Favosites Forbesi, though not so 
marked. The inner surfaces, namely, of the corallites, exhibit rudimentary and imperfect 
tabule, in the form of little projecting lamellze or ridges which project into the cavity of 
the theca. Specimens exhibiting this peculiarity can usually be distinguished from examples 
of F. Forbesi, without difficulty, by the fact that the ridges representing the tabule are not so 
closely set, are more delicate and plate-like, usually run across the whole width of the corallite, 
and do not give to the interior of the theca the extraordinary roughness of appearance which 
is characteristic of 7. Forbesi. In other specimens, again, the tabule have the characters 
which are distinctive of F. hemispherica, being closely set and incomplete, often more or less 
bent, and commonly interlocking. Such specimens, however, are readily separated from those 
which are rightly referred to F’, hemispherica, by the fact that in the former some of the coral- 
lites are always found to exhibit the complete tabule of P’. Gothlandica, whilst the size of the 
corallites is on the average much more considerable. In fact, the commonest condition in the 
specimens here alluded to, is that alternating portions of the mass exhibit the complete tabulze 
characteristic of F. Gothlandica, and the incomplete tabulee characteristic of F. hemispherica. 
Mr. Billings has also pointed out that the same corallite sometimes exhibits complete tabulze 
in one portion of its course and incomplete tabulz in another. 
As to the condition of the septa, the diagnosis of the species would, perhaps, be altered 
for the better by the statement that as a general rule the septa are absent, or at any rate are 
nideterminable. They are, however, not uncommonly to be recognised in the form of small 
niequalities or minute tubercles on the interior of the walls of the corallites; and they some- 
times exist in the condition of distinct spines, though I have never noticed this state of things 
in any of the specimens from the Corniferous Limestone. It is, however, not uncommon in 
Silurian specimens, and it has been observed and figured by Mr. Billings from Canadian 
examples found in the Corniferous. 
Adult colonies of #', Gothlandica usually have the form of much depressed pyriform 
masses, but great variations exist in this respect ; and young colonies are usuelly spheroidal 
or simply pyriform, whilst the largest and oldest masses tend to assume the form of dome- 
shaped or hemispheric masses. The colony is based upon a concentrically wrinkled epitheca, 
which is very commonly wanting in decorticated specimens, and attains a considerable thick- 
ness in aged examples. 
Locality and Formation.—Common throughout the Corniferous Limestone in Canada 
West, and also in the Hamilton formation. 
48. FAVOSITES BASALTICA (Goldfuss). 
Calamopora basaltica (Goldfuss), Petref. Germ. Pl. XXVI. Figs. 4a, 4d. 
Favosites basaltica ; (Billings), Canadian Journal, New Series, Vol. IV. p. 106, (in part). 
It is with regard to this species that I find myself compelled, though with great diffi- 
dence, to differ from the conclusions arrived at by Mr. Billings (Canadian Jour. Vol. IV. p. 
