48 



this point, and the regular diminution of the thickness of the longer 

 lamellce until they have attained the central point, give a peculiar ele- 

 gance of appearance to the star of this coral. 



This fossil, which has I believe been only yet obtained from Sweden, 

 is described and figured by Fougt*, who has also annexed the sketch, 

 Plate V. c, which shews more plainly the mode in which the newly 

 formed parts are attached to, and proceed from, their respective bases. 

 This is however very evident in the representation at Plate V. Fig. 2, 

 in which the general characters of the fossil are well preserved. It is 

 also figured by Bromel in Tab. 39 and 40, and by Volkmann. in his 

 Silesia Subterranea, Tab. XIX. Fig. 3, , b. The fossil which is here 

 represented, is calcareous, and appears to have formed part of a bluish 

 lime-stone. 



Madrepora stellaris, is a zoophyte, the examination of which is ren- 

 dered very interesting by its curious mode of increase, which is similar, 

 in a great measure, with that of the former madrepore, and with that 

 which takes place in proliferous flowers. As the newly formed parts 

 proceed, in the former instance, from the radiated disk, so here, 

 from the centre of the stars, which are united at their margin, pro- 

 ceed single joints, which assume a similar form with the joints from 

 which they proceeded, and possess, like them, the power of pro- 

 ducing a similar joint from the centre of each of their disks. Each 

 joint of this madrepore, like those of the preceding, bears somewhat 

 of the form of a drinking glass ; becoming narrower downwards, but 

 a little enlarged at its base: upwards it terminates in a wide, thin 

 margin, marked externally with very numerous, faint, longitudinal 

 striae, intersected by transverse rugae, so slight as hardly to be per- 

 ceptible. The stars are flattish, and formed of numerous rays, gene- 

 rally about sixty, which proceed from the edge quite to the centre. 



* Amoenit. Acad. Tom. I. Tab. iv. Fig. XI. 4. 



