better represented by Fig. 11, Plate XVIII. of Volkmann's Silesia 

 Subterranea, than by Fig. 4 of the same Plate, which has been selected 

 by Gmelin for the illustration of this fossil. In that representation 

 the peculiar bifurcated form of the perpendicular plates of the coral 

 are easily discoverable : the figures of Volkmann, though coarsely 

 executed, generally yielding a tolerable idea of the peculiar characters 

 of the fossil presented to the eye. 



It is evidently from this coral that the beautiful, light brown marble 

 of Switzerland derives the pleasing figures with which it is enriched. 

 Plate VI. Fig. 10, is a polished slice of this marble, in which may be 

 traced a close agreement with the following description of it, as given 

 by Da Costa. 



" Marmoroidesfuscoflavus stellatus, s.astroitesjuscojlavus. This is of a 

 dull, brownish, fleshy yellow colour ; of a fine, glittering, compact, uni- 

 form texture ; not heavy, and moderately hard. This kind is thick set 

 with large stars, which generally are of the size of silver pennies. They 

 are not tubes, but are composed of loose or naked thick longitudinal 

 plates, which are disposed from their centre to their circumference. 

 These plates or rays are not equally produced from the centre of the 

 stars, but are of very different lengths : nor are they regularly disposed 

 in regard to their starry radii, for often two rays join at the centre and 

 bifurcate at the extremities. The number of rays or plates to each star 

 or coralloid body, also differs very much ; some having twelve, others 

 thirteen, and others all the intermediate numbers to twenty ; but none 

 have less than twelve. These plates are lodged quite perpendicularly 

 with respect to the surfaces of the mass, and are not intersected, as in 

 the madrepores in general, by any transverse septa or diaphragms. They 

 are of a pale yellowish colour, and are composed of a coarse, glittering 

 opaque spar. The whole mass is capable of a good surface though 

 of but a middling polish; and notwithstanding the curious appearance 

 of the stars, which are large and fine, yet on account of its dulness 



