^ NEW ZEALAND PALAEONTOLOGY. 



The most of the numerous species of Trochocyathus are 

 fossil^ only a few having lately been discovered in a living state 

 by deep-sea dredging. The fossil species are mostly Miocene or 

 Eocene, one or two extending into the Upper or Middle Second- 

 ary formations. Three species are found in New Zealand, and 

 all of decidedly Miocene affinities, 



Trochocyathus mantelli. M.-Ed., Hist. Nat. des Corall., 

 Vol. 2, p. 47. See also Mantell, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc, Vol. 6 

 (1850), p. 331, pi. 28, fig. 18 (as Turbinolia). A fragment 

 of two systems, with the pali and columella, is all that is preserved 

 of this fossil. That is sufficient to determine that it is a Tro- 

 chocyathus, and may be the same as the one figured by Mantell. 

 The corallum is circular, pedicellate, shallow, with a flat base, 

 and the remains of six long tubercular processes proceeding from 

 the sides opposite the primaries. Costa manifested by nearly 

 equal grooved lines above the tubercles. Septa in six systems of 

 five cycles, granulate, and slightly exsert at the margin. Pri- 

 maries and secondaries large, equal, slightly more exsert, form- 

 ing a coronate edge. Fossa wide and open. Pali forming a 

 double circle of large laminae. Alt. 15, probable diam. 30 

 millim. The form is very beautiful, the crown of pali especially 

 so. If different from Mantell's coral, I should propose the name 

 of T. tuberculatus . Locality doubtful, whether from the Pareora 

 beds IV. or from the marly greensands of VI. Fig. 2, fragment 

 of calice ; fig. 3, base, showing tubercles. App. Off. Cat,, No. 

 60 Ms, p. 39. 



Trochocyathus hexagonalis. M.-Ed., he. cit., Vol. 2, 

 p. 46. See also Mantell, loc. cit., pi. 28, fig. 19. Specimen No. 

 81 of the Appendix to the Official Catalogue is a cast of what 

 seems to be like the base of Milne-Edwards species as above. It 

 is remarkable for the hexagonal form of the calice, and the pro- 

 minence of the primary costa, which probably correspond to the 

 septa. If so, there are four cycles in six systems. The columella 

 is a mass of twisted vitilia, with which the pali are confounded. 

 I do not affirm positively that the species are the same, or that 

 this is undoubtedly a Ti^ochocyathus. I had only one specimen 

 for examination, and that a cast ; though it appears there are 

 many more found in the Leda marls at Whangape Lake, Wai- 

 kato, and elsewhere ; VI. 



Trochocyathus quinarius, n. s. Corallum tall, elegantly 

 cup-shaped, on a round, cylindrical pedicel. Epitheca rather 



