54 



58. ALVEOLITES RCEMERI (Billings). 



Alveolites Ecemeri (Billings), Canadian Journal, New Series, Vol. v., p. 255. 



Corallum ramose, of cylindrical, sometimes sub-palmate, branched stems, from one and a 

 half to three lines in diameter. Calices transversely oval, about half a line in width, and one 

 fourth of a line in length, usually distant from one another about half a line measured in 

 the longitudinal direction of the stem, and one fourth of a line in the transverse direction. 



In some examples, as noticed by Mr. Billings, the calices are more closely set than as 

 above stated, but this point is certainly not of specific value. The only two forms with which 

 A.Ecemeri could easily be confounded, are^. labiosa (Billings), and A. cryptodens (Billings). 

 From the former of these it is distinguished by the transversely -elongated oval form of the 

 calices, and their comparatively great width, the cells of A. labiosa being markedly triangular 

 and not having a width of more than a quarter of a line. In A. cryptodens, on the other hand, 

 the calices are more of a triangular shape than in A. Rcemeri, and they are much more dis- 

 tant and remote. Mr. Billings describes A. Ecemeri from specimens obtained in the Hamilton 

 formation, but examples also occur not very rarely in the Corniferous Limestone. 



Locality and Formation. Corniferous Limestone of Port Colborne. Abundant in the 

 Hamilton group at Bartlett's Mills, near Arkona, Township of Bosanquet. 



59. ALVEOLITES CRYPTODENS (Billings). 



Alveolites cryptodens (Billings), Canadian Journal, New Series, Vol. IV., p. 115, fig. 16. 



Corallum dendroid, the branches cylindrical, or sub-cylindrical, from two to three lines 

 in diameter, not inosculating or forming a network. Corallites oblique, the calices transversely 

 oval, or sub-triangular, arranged in spiral or sub-spiral lines. The calices possess prominent 

 lower lips, and usually open in an obliquely and not directly transverse direction as regards 

 the axis of the branch. The long diameter of the calices is about half a line. Calices distant 

 less than a line measured either transversely or diagonally, and about a line measured verti- 

 cally. " Two small tooth-like ridges occupy the inner surface on the side towards the exterior, 

 apparently half a line from the mouth or lower lip of the cell" (Billings). 



The characteristic tooth-like septal ridges of this species are only rarely preserved, and 1 

 have never seen them ; but specimens with the proportions mentioned by Mr. Billings are by 

 no means very uncommon. Apart from this character, the species (Fig. 12, a,) is readily 

 distinguished by the ramose but not reticulated corallum, the large size and obliquity of the 

 transversely oval calices, and their comparative remoteness from one another. 



Locality and Formation. Corniferous Limestone of Port Colborne and Ridgeway. 



60. ALVEOLITES CONFERTA (Nicholson). 



Alveolites conferta (Nicholson), Geological Magazine, Feb., 1874. 



Corallum ramose, composed of cylindrical or elliptical branching stems, which bifurcate, 

 but do not interlace. Diameter of the stems from two to three lines. Corallites minute, 

 oblique to the surface, opening by calices which are arranged in irregular diagonal lines, and 

 have a circular, or transversely oval, hardly sub-triangular shape. Calices oblique, minute, 

 and excessively crowded, about one-sixth to one-eighth of a line in their longest diameter, and 

 separated by intervals of from one-fifth to one-fourth of a line transversely, or the same dis- 

 tance, or less, measured vertically. There are, thus, from three to four calices, and from two 

 to three interspaces in the space of one line, measured either diagonally across a branch or 

 vertically (Fig. 12, c). 



This species is allied to the preceding in its general configuration, but it appears to be 

 decidedly distinct from these or from any previously described forms. It is distinguished by 

 its very minute and extremely close-set corallites, and by the fact that the calices are, as a 

 rule, not distinctly sub-triangular, and have not a markedly prominent lower lip. In some 

 respects, A. conferta has the aspect of a Coznites, especially in the fact that the corallites appear 

 at first sight, to be surrounded by a copious ccenenchyma. This appearance, however, is 

 deceptive, and I have no doubt as to the correct reference of the species to Alveolites. 



Locality and Formation. Rare in the Corniferous Limestone of Ridgeway and Port Col- 

 borne. 



