43 



44. AULOPORA CORNUTA (Billings). 



* 



Corallites tubular, trumpet-shaped, the diameter of their mouths being two lines, whilst 

 that of the parent stem is about one line. The corallites produced at intervals of from one to 

 six lines. The epitheca thick and apparently smooth, and destitute of encircling striae. 



T was at first disposed to doubt if this species were really distinct from A. tubceformis of 

 Goldfuss ; but an examination of a considerable number of specimens has satisfied me that it 

 is a good species. A. cornuta is distinguished from A. tubceformis by the fact that the coral- 

 lites are less crowded, and the diameter of the calice often is nearly or quite twice as great. 

 In A. tubceformis the tubes seem to have a diameter at their mouths of about a line, judging, 

 that is, from the figure of the species given by Goldfuss, who states no measurement. Some 

 examples of A. cornuta have the mouths of the tubes '"not more than one line and a-half, or 

 .even less, across, and there thus remains the possibility that specimens may be obtained 

 which will ultimately show A. cornuta to be only a large variety of A. tubceformis. 



Locality and Formation. Rare in the Corniferous Limestone, Lot 6, Con 1, Wainfleet, 

 and Port Colborne. Common in the Hamilton formation of the Township of Bosanquet, 

 adhering to Brachiopods and Corals. 



45. AULOPORA TUBCEFORMIS (Goldfuss). 



(Plate VI. Fig. 3.) 



Aulopora tubceformis (Goldfuss), Petref. Germ. PI. xxix. Fig. 2. 



Corallites tubular, more or less curved, expanding slightly towards the mouth. Diameter 

 of the calice, one lina or a little more or less ; the diameter of the tube the same or a little less. 

 Whatever may be the value of A. cornuta as a distinct species, the Corniferous Lime- 

 stone of Western Ontario unquestionably yields examples of ~an Aulopora, which cannot be 

 distinguished from the well-known species of the Devonian of Europe, A. tubceformis of Gold- 

 fuss. It is unfortunate that Goldfuss does not give any measurements ; but accepting the 

 accuracy of his figure (Petrefakten, PI. xxix. fig. 2), the proportions and general form of our 

 specimens agree exactly with those of this species. I have not seen any specimens in which 

 the corallites are as crowded as they are in the upper portion of Gcldfuss' figure ; but our 

 specimens agree exactly with the portions of the same colony which appear on the right 

 hand side and near the base of the figure in question ; and, under any circumstances, the 

 approximation of the corallites is very liable to vary in different portions of a colony of 

 Aulopora. Upon the whole, therefore, I have no hesitation in identifying some of the exam- 

 ples from the Corniferous Limestone with the Eifel species. 

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



46. AULOPORA UMBELLIPERA (Billings). 



(Plate VI. Fig. 4.) 



Aulopora umbcllifera (Billings), Canadian Journal, New Series, Vol. iv. p. 119, fig. 21. 



Corallum growing in a lax and spreading manner ; the primary stems remaining un- 

 divided for a distance of a quarter or half an inch, and then giving origin to a cluster of coral- 

 lites in an umbellate manner, some of these proliferating in a similar fashion, and at similar 

 intervals. The number of corallites in a cluster varies from five or six to as many as ten or 

 twelve, and though united at their point of origin they ultimately radiate more or less out- 

 wards like the spokes of a wheel. The epitheca is thick, with encircling stria) and annu- 

 tions ; the diameter of the corallites is about one line ; and the septa are well represented by 

 from six to ten rows of short spines. 



This species is at once distinguished by its very peculiar mode of growth. As suggested 

 by Mr. Billings, it seems questionable if it can be retained in the genus Aulopora, and it is 

 quite probable that a new genus should be formed for its reception. 



Locality and formation. Not very uncommon in the Corniferous Limestone of Port 

 Colborne. Also in Lot 6, Con. 1, Wainfloet (Billings). 



