Fig. 4, of Plate IV. is the representation of the stellated surface of 

 a madreporite, of a form sufficiently distinct from that of any other to 

 allow of its being considered as a distinct species, should its frequent 

 appearance in other specimens give reason to suppose that it had a 

 constancy of character, and that it did not result from an accidental 

 or sportive variation in the erection of the polypean fabric. The per- 

 pendicular laminae have united in two lines, which, by crossing each 

 other, have so quartered the star, as to have made it yield the appear- 

 ance of a flower with four expanded petals. The other part of the 

 surface of this fossil has been so rubbed down by attrition in the water, 

 as to have deprived it considerabty of its natural appearance. Its 

 general form, however, is that of the turbinated madrepore. 



The star with a convex surface, represented Plate IV. Fig. 7> appears 

 to be the impression on lime-stone of the upper surface of a turbinated" 

 madreporite. The calcareous spathose particles having been deposited 

 in all the hollow parts of the coral, and having become firmly in- 

 durated, have retained the form which they thus assumed,, whilst the 

 madrepore itself has been removed. 



The Fimgites major orbicular is Gothlandicus, figured by Langius* and 

 by Bromell| ; and placed under this species by the author of Corallia 

 Baltica, and in the Sy sterna Naturae of Linnaeus, by Cmelin, I shall 

 venture to place among the mineralized alcyonia; trusting that in its 

 proper place I shall be able to shew the propriety of this dissent from 

 authorities so high and respectable. 



There are among the fossil single starred corals, some which, with 

 the general form and other specific characters of the turbinated madre- 

 pore, possess also some other distinctive characters, which, from their 

 constancy seem to point out these corals, as deserving, to be considered 

 as so many distinct species. 



* Historia Lapidum Figuratorum Helvetia. P. 52. Tab. 1 2, 

 t Bromel. Lithog. Sp'. 2. 36. 



