40 



a Diphyphyllum and are not connected by horizontal processes ; whilst the latter in its adult 

 state seems to have entirely the habit of an Aulopora with the internal structure of Syringo- 

 pora, but equally without connecting processes. 



Five species of Syringopora have c been recorded by Mr. Billings from the Corniferous Lime- 

 stone of Western Ontario, all of which have come under my observation in the same formation. 



38. SYRINGOPORA NOBILIS (Billings). 



Syringopora nobilis (Billings), Canadian Journal, New Series, Vol, iv., p. 118. 



Corallum, lax, spreading, increasing by the production of lateral buds. 

 Corallites very large, varying with age from one and a half lines to five 

 lines in diameter, apparently not connected by transverse processes. 

 Septa obsolete ; tabulse infundibuliform. Epitheca thick, with en- 

 circling striae and stronger annulations. 



Internally this species has all the characters of Syringopora ; but 

 the corallites are much larger than in any other known species of this 

 genus, and I have never seen any specimen in which transverse con- 

 necting processes are developed. It is doubtfnl, therefore, if the spe- 

 cies can with propriety be retained under Syringopora. The usual 

 diameter of the corallites is about three lines, but young examples 

 have a diameter of one and a half lines, whilst Mr. Billings states 

 that full-grown specimens sometimes attain a diameter of no less than 

 five lines. As regards its mode of growth, /S. nobilis is exceedingly 

 like a gigantic Aulopora, except that the branches are produced at com- 

 paratively longer intervals. Mr. Billings also states that the infundi- 

 huliform tabulse are " so blended together as to produce a structure 

 somewhat similar to the vesicular tissue of the genus Cystiphyllum." 

 This singular species can always be recognised by the internal struc- 

 ture, mode of growth, and great size of the corallites. 



Locality and Formation. Rare in the Corniferous Limestone of Port 

 : nobilis, (Bill- Colborne. Also. Lot 5, Concession 13. Walpole (Billings). 



ings), a fragment of the natu- 

 ral size. Corniferous Lime- 

 stone. 



39. SYRINGOPORA HISINGERI (Billings). 



Syringopora Hisingeri (Billings), Canadian Journal, New Series, Vol. IV., p. 116. 



" This species forms large masses of very long, nearly parallel or slightly varying, slender 

 corallites, which are closely aggregated, and present a rugged or knobby appearance from the 

 great number of the connecting tubes. The diameter of the corallites is one-third of a line, 

 or a little more. The tubes of connexion are distant from two-thirds of a line to one line 

 and a half. The distance between the corallites is for the greater part less than their dia- 

 meter. The young corallites branch from the sides of the adult individuals, and immediately 

 become parallel with the parent, and connected with it ^again by the usual tubes of con- 

 nexion." (Billings). 



This elegant species is very readily recognized by the comparatively small size of the 

 corallites, the closeness with which they are crowded together, and the great number of the 

 connecting processes. It seems to me, however, somewhat questionable if this species is really 

 distinct from the previously described S. Verneuilli of the Devonian Rocks of Ohio, (Milne 

 Edwards and Haime, Pol. Foss. des Terres PaUozoiques, p. 289.) The distinction relied on 

 Iby Mr. Billings in separating the two species is, that the corallites in S. Hisingeri are distant 

 from one another for the most part by less than their own diameter ; whereas in S. Verneuilli 

 they are distant twice or thrice their diameter. If this distinction could be shown to hold 

 good in a large number of examples of both forms, it would doubtless constitute a difference 

 of specific value ; but the distance between the corallites is not absolutely uniform in either, 

 and it is therefore not improbable that the difference is one of variety only. In the meanwhile, 

 however, it is safer to retain S. Hisingeri as a separate species, very easily distinguished from the 

 other species of Syringopora which have been detected in the Corniferous Limestone of Canada. 



Locality and Formation. Not uncommon in the Corniferous Limestone of Port Colborne. 



Fig. 10. 



