CORALS AND BRYOZOA. 19 



have largely extended the genus. From this fact^ and about five 

 living species which are known to me in Australian seas, we may 

 look upon the genus as characteristic of Australia. It is there- 

 fore a matter of surprise to find it so poorly rej)resented in the 

 New Zealand tertiaries. Only two species are found, and only 

 one of these has anything peculiar or characteristic about it. 



Balanophyllia alta, n. s. Corallum fixed by a rather 

 stout pedicel, tall, cylindrical or enlarging very slowly. Costa 

 broad and flat, much hidden by the vermicular markings. 

 Calice shallow, almost filled by the columella, which ascends as 

 an almost compact cylindrical mass of twisted yitilia united to 

 the edges of the septa. Edge of calice not seen in any of the 

 specimens. Septa perforate, apparently in six systems of four 

 cycles. The tertiaries united to the secondaries in front of them 

 and close to the columella, forming a compact mass. Sides of 

 septa covered with a regular series of curved ridges, which 

 descend to the columella, across which the perforations make 

 radiating lines in a contrary direction. Alt. 61, lat. 16, base 

 7 millim. 



All the specimens are so filled with siliceous matrix that the 

 details of the orders cannot be well seen. The side view of the 

 peculiar columella reminds one of the corallites of many of the 

 Astrceidte. It is a most peculiar form, and quite distinct from 

 any yet described. App. Off. Cat., p. 36, No. 23. Conway 

 River, Nelson; Leda marls; VI. Fig. 19 — A, corallum, natural 

 size; B, section of another, natural size. 



Balanophyllia hectori, n. s. Corallum pedicellate, cunei- 

 form, tapering, short and curved. No epitheca. Calice broadly 

 elliptical, filled with matrix in all the specimens, so that the 

 details cannot be well made out. The septa are thin; ex- 

 sert (?). Four cycles in six systems; primaries free, fourth and 

 fifth orders united with tertiaries near the wall, and these again 

 with the secondaries near the columella, which is composed of a 

 few twisted vitilia. There seem to be the rudiments of a fifth 

 cycle; but all these details are uncertain, owing to the state of 

 the specimens. Costa well marked, vermicular, and bifurcating. 

 Alt. 17, diam. cal. 13, lat. cal. 10 millim. I have dedicated this 

 specimen to Dr. Hector, F.R.S., the distinguished Director of 

 the Geological Survey. The fossil has characters which ally it 

 to a good many of the Australian Balanoj^hyUice, both living 

 and fossil. App. Off. Cat., p. 39, No. 61. Kokohu River coral 



