oo — 
See 
CHAPTER I. 
PROTOZOA OF THE CORNIFEROUS LIMESTONE AND HAMILTON FORMATION. 
The remains of Protozoa in the Corniferous Limestone, though not of a very varied nature 
are far from uncommon, and constitute quite a marked feature in the Lower Devonian fauna. 
With the exception of a species of Astrwvspongia and one or two undetermined forms, they 
belong entirely to the enigmatical genus Stromatopora or to a genus so closely allied to this as to 
render any separation at present unadvisable. They may, with the greatest probability, be 
regarded as belonging to the Spongida ; though the more typical forms of Stromatopora have 
not as yet been shown to possess some of the more important characters of Sponge-structure. 
In all, I have detected one species of <Astrwospongia and five species of Stromatopora in the 
Corniferous Limestone of Western Ontario, all of the latter, with the exception of S. concent- 
rica (Gold.), being apparently new. 
1. ASTRAOSPONGIA, Sp. 
A single specimen has come under my notice of spicules which clearly belong to a species 
of Reemer’s genus Astrwospongia. The spicules are hex-radiate, two of the radii being longer 
than the others, and each star having a diameter of about one line measuring across from the 
extremities of opposite rays. Along with the starlike rays are others of a simply aciculate 
form. Nothing but detached spicules have been obtained, and I have no knowledge of the 
general form of the Sponge. 
Spicules similar to those of the present species occur not uncommonly in the Hamilton 
Shales of Canandaigua, in the State of New York, and both have a general resemblance to 
those figured by Meek and Worthen, (Geology of Illinois, Vol. III, Pl. 10, Fig. 6,) under the 
name of 4. Hamilionensis. They are, however, more slender and delicate in their proportions. 
It is quite probable that our form is distinct; but, having merely such fragmentary remains 
of it, I have not thought it advisable to describe it under a separate specific title. A similar, 
if not identical, form has also been described by Roemer from the Upper Silurian of Tennessee, 
(Sil. Fauna, West Tenn., p. 14.) 
Locality and Formation.—From the base of the Corniferous Limestone (Oriskany Sand- 
stone ?) near Port Colborne. 
Genus STROMATOPORA (De Blainville). 
The genus Séromatopora includes a number of fossils of doubtful affinities, which have the 
common character of forming amorphous masses or extended sheets and crusts composed of 
delicate calcareous laminge, arranged in successive strata one above the other, and separated 
from one another by minute vertical props or pillars, which some believe to be tubular. Very 
often, the successive laminze are disposed round an imaginary centre or centres in a concentric 
manner, giving rise to spherical, hemispherical, or irrecular forms. In other cases, the’ mass 
is extended so as to form an expanded cup or irregular sheet, composed, like the preceding, of 
succesively superimposed laminze. 
The main element, therefore, in the structure of Sfromatopora, and the only one as to 
which all observers appear agreed, is a system of parallel calcareous laminz generally of great 
tenuity. not in actual contact, but separated from one another by narrow interspaces. The 
successive lamin are kept apart by a system of calcareous rods or pillars, which are directed 
at right angles to the laminze, and divide the intervals between the latter into minute quad- 
rangular compartments. 
So far, the structure of Stromatopora would be compatible with a reference of the genus 
either to the Foraminifera or to the Spongida ; but there are unfortunately many differences 
