SYRINGOPORID^E. 213 



in direct communication. As to the recent genus Tubipora, it 

 seems unnecessary to enter into any detailed discussion, as the 

 known facts as to the internal structure of Syringopora render 

 any direct affinity between the two genera wholly out of the 

 question. More, on the other hand, may be said for the view 

 so ably advanced by Dr Lindstrom (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist, 

 ser. 4, vol. xviii. p. 13), that Syringopora is truly a Rugose 

 Coral, allied to Lithostrotion and Diphyphyllum. Even here, 

 however, I think that the distinguished Scandinavian palaeon- 

 tologist has allowed himself to be misled by resemblances which 

 are truly analogical and not fundamental. I am not prepared 

 to allow that there is any true relation of homology between 

 the hollow connecting -tubes of Syringopora and the also 

 hollow radicular processes or connecting-processes of many 

 Rugose Corals. Dr Lindstrom's argument on this point, if 

 carried to a logical conclusion, would necessitate the removal of 

 unquestionable Favositoid and Perforate Corals (such as Mich- 

 elinia, Nodulipora, &c.) to the Rugosa, since these also pos- 

 sess hollow radiciform prolongations. On the other hand, the 

 totally different nature of the tabulae and septa in Syringopora, 

 as compared with these structures in Lithostrotion and Diphy- 

 phyllum to say nothing of the connecting-tubes of the former 

 entirely forbids, in my opinion, any taxonomic union of forms 

 so diverse. 



For my own part, after a careful study of the minute struc- 

 ture of both groups, I am satisfied that the Syringoporida are 

 properly to be regarded as an aberrant group of the Perforata, 

 having genuine relationships with the Favositidte> though dis- 

 tinct from these. Upon this view, the hollow connecting-tubes 

 of Syringopora are homologically nothing more than " mural 

 pores," as existing in corallites which are not in absolute con- 

 tact. In support of this view, I would simply draw attention 

 to the absolute identity in the internal structure of the connect- 

 ing-tubes of Syringopora and the hollow connecting - floors of 

 Chonostegites. Yet Chonostegites is a true Favositoid, with the 

 closest possible relations to Michelinia, De Kon. ; and wher- 



