Geological Society. 91 



especially on the circinate vernation and supposed fructification of 

 the plant. "With it were found many fragments of small flower- 

 like parts, which had been referred to the genus Staphylopteris, 

 Presl, the fructification especially resembling that ascribed to that 

 genus. The author considered that in all probability the Staphy- 

 lopteris was parasitic upon the Sphenopteris, perhaps after the fashion 

 of Cuscuta upon flowering plants. 



3. " On the Occurrence of a Macrurous Decapod {AntJirapalce- 

 mon Woodwardi, sp, nov.) in the Red Sandstone, or Lowest 

 Group of the Carboniferous Formation in the South-East of Scot- 

 land." By Robert Etheridge, Esq., jun., F.G.S. 



After giving a detailed bibliography of the Palaeozoic Malacostra- 

 cous Crustacea, the author described the remains of a small Crus- 

 tacean from the lower group of the Carboniferous formation near 

 Dunbar, and discussed its affinities and systematic position, which 

 he regarded as being among the Macrurous Decapods, although the 

 •absence of the eyes in the preserved specimens, and some other 

 characters, rendered it doubtful whether it might not in some respects 

 approach the Stomapoda. Its position among the Macrura seemed, 

 however, to be established by the well-developed abdominal somites 

 and telson. He refeiTed the fossil to Salter's genus Anthrapalcemon, 

 and named the species A. Woodwcn-di. 



4. " On the Stratigraphieal Position of the Corals of the Lias of 

 the Midland and Western Counties of England and of South Wales." 

 Ry R. F. Tomes, Esq. 



The object of this paper was to give the precise stratigraphieal 

 position of the species of Liassic Corals collected by the author and 

 his friends in the districts above mentioned. He noticed 41 species, 

 of which 15 were described as new, namely: — Cydolites Anningi, 

 ThecosmUia lonyisericdis, Montlivcdtia cydolites, ThamnastrcBa Etlie- 

 ridgii, Thecocyathus mucronata, Montlivcdtia pcipyracea, and several 

 others to which no specific names are attached, chiefly belonging to 

 the genus Isastrcea. 



May 23rd, 1877.— Prof. P. Martin Duncan, M.B., F.R.S., 

 President, in the Chair. 



The foDowing communication was read : — 



2. " On the Structure and Affinities of the Genus SipTionia." By 

 W. J. SoUas, Esq., B.A., F.G.S. 



This paper contained, first, a full account of the history of tho 

 genus Siplionia., including a complete list of its described species, 

 and, next, a description of its general and minute structure. Its 

 skeletal network was shown to consist of spicular elements belonging 

 to the Lithistid type or sponges, and most closely allied in generic 

 details to the recent form Discodermia polydiscns. Not only in this 



