144 DESCRIPTION OF CORALS. 
Astree always exceed twelve. By reference to the specific characters of Styl. 
monticularia, the true lamelle, or those within the star, will be found not to 
exceed twelve, and the additional polype-cavities to have resulted from inter- 
polations. The data for these characters are given in a subsequent paragraph. 
It is clear, therefore, that so far as this inquiry is concerned, and Ehrenberg’s 
classification is considered to be the best, the Grignon and Bracklesham fossil 
cannot be regarded as an Astrea, though De France and other authorities might 
have been justified, according to the systems adopted or proposed by them, in 
considering it as truly belonging to that genus. 
On extending the investigation to those corals which have only twelve 
lamellz, and constitute Ehrenberg’s families Madreporina and Milleporina, not 
one of the genera or subgenera will be found to possess the peculiarities of the 
fossil under examination, and consequently it is inferred, that Schweigger’s 
genus may be rightly adopted. 
The true position of Stylophora in a general classification is plainly in the 
family Madreporina, and near the Heteropora of Ehrenberg (Madrepora, auct.). 
To this conclusion Schweigger came (see description of figure 62, op. cit.), rightly 
comprehending the agreement between some, at least, of the peculiarities of his 
Grignon fossil, and the structures of ordinary Madrepore. De Blainville also 
placed the genus among ‘les Madrepores’ (Man. d’Actinol. pp. 382, 385)*. 
With respect to the specific designation, Schweigger’s is adopted, having prior 
claim (1819) to that employed by De France (1826). Of other allied corals, as 
the Ast. decorata of M. Michelin (Iconog. p. 161. pl. 44. fig. 8), no observations 
are required, nor could any be rightly offered without the aid of specimens. 
For the same reason, reference only can be made to the fossil described by Prof. 
Goldfuss under the appellation of Ast. Stylophora, but identified by M. Michelin 
with Ast. emarciata (Petrefacten, p. 71. pl. 24. fig. 4; Iconographie, p. 158, where 
it is stated that the coral has no doubt been assigned by mistake to the chalk 
of Meudon). 
The series of Bracklesham specimens submitted to inspection were brittle and 
much beset with the sandy matrix, which could not safely be removed. The 
following remarks, therefore, must be regarded as defective, having been de- 
* Ehrenberg in the Index to his ‘ Beitriige’ gives Stylophora, referring the reader to his subgenus 
Porites; but as he notices only the recent species under the designation of MW. Porites pistillata (op. 
cit. p.» 115), it was deemed unnecessary to allude to the determination except in a note, the extinct 
and existing polypidoms being generically distinct. 
