1 36 MADREPORARIA. 



proliferation of the synapticulse may well have been adaptations to life on a soft foundation, 

 such as sand. Compare the attachment of other representatives of the genus in the Paris 

 liasin area to perishable stems and to small stones; see also the Bracklesham Bay forms. The 

 porous skeleton of Goniopora reaches in the beautiful filigree of this coral an extreme point in 

 its departure from the usual solid walls and septa of the majority of the Madreporaria. 



The specimen was labelled Litharcea (Astrwa) Parisiensis M.-E. and H., but that name 

 referred to a true imperforate coral. 



This coral seems structurally to lead on to the next form. 



«. Geol. Dept. R. 4818. 



129. Goniopora Paris Basin (14 ,6. (PL X. fig. G ; PL XIV. fig. 10.) 

 [Chaussy (Middle Eocene) ; British Museum.] 



Description. — Massive, very convex, as if it had been almost globular ; apparently built 

 up of convex layers, 2-3 mm. thick. Extremely light and friable, the sections being almost 

 like foam. The skeletal elements are delicate pearly flakes, mostly arranged horizontally, 

 running into thin threads. 



The calicles large, 3*5 mm. across, almost invisible, at least in transverse sections. The 

 walls, septa, and columella melted together into a tangle of flakes and threads. The columellar 

 tangle is composed mainly of flakes and not of filaments as in the last coral. The calicles are 

 only discoverable in the section where a few interseptal loculi betray their presence by their 

 radial arrangement. The septa, those few which can be recognised as such, are very twisted, 

 mostly horizontal irregular flakes. 



There are two nodules of this coral, the larger, 5 cm. long, showing the method of growth 

 and the extraordinarily spongy texture of the skeleton. The original surface may have been 

 worn down and it is possible we have only a section. But for the clue supplied us by the 

 preceding coral these would have remained enigmatical. They now, however, find their place 

 in the series, showing the gradual specialisation of the synapticulre. They appear to differ 

 from the coral just described in the fact that the flakes are horizontal, and that the colu- 

 mellar tangle consists wholly of them. This flaky character may be associated with the 

 formation of thinner colonies. 



A case nearly parallel to this will be described in the next volume, as occurring in the 

 genus Porites, viz. a thin explanate form consisting entirely of horizontal flakes. Cf. G. China 

 Sea 3, p. 72. 



a. Showing 2 calicles, as figured on PL X. fig. 6. ? 



b. Shows no radial structure. Geol. Dept. R. 1991. 



130. Goniopora Paris Basin ai fl. (PI. X. fig. 7.) 

 [? Locality ; Eocene ; British Museum.] 



Description. — Corallum smooth, very convex, as if forming half a cylinder, but complete 

 form unknown. 



