158 li. G. Carrutheys — A Revision of some Carboniferous Corals. 



IV. — A IIevision of some Carboniferous Corals.^ 

 By E. G. Carkuthers, of the Geological Survey. 



(PLATE VI.) 

 (Condudcdfrom the February Niimher, 2Mge 74.) 



Genus CANINIA. 



1840. Cauinia, Michelin. 

 1850. Cijathapsis, d'Orbigny. 

 1906. Amplexi-Zaphrentis, Vaugban. 

 (For full syuouymy of the type species see below.) 



Corallum simple, turbinate and conical, often slender and cylindrical 

 for a great part of its lengtli. 



Major septa well developed and meeting in the centre in the lower, 

 conical part of the coral, but in the cylindrical portions usually 

 becoming amplexoid in character. 



Minor septa of varioiis lengths in different species. 



Cardinal fossula variable in extent, characteristically limited by 

 tabulfe only, at the inner end, and with the flanking septa loose or 

 disconnected. 



Tabul(B well developed, but variable in regularity; they may be 

 highly arched and vesicular. A marginal ring of more or less vertical 

 dissepiments, usually thin and delicate, intervenes in the mature stages 

 of growth between the tabulae and the wall. 



The foregoing re-definition of the genus Caninia is founded on an 

 examination of C. cornucopim, and of allied forms found in the English 

 Visean, most of which are at present undescribed. Reasons for 

 regarding this species as the genotype will be adduced in the sequel, 

 when discussing that coral. Previous authors seem to have regarded 

 the genus as typified by Caninia gigantea, Mich, (equivalent, according 

 to McCoy, to Siphonopliyllia cylindrica, Scouler). The mistake is 

 easily explained, and it is somewhat surprising that it appears to have 

 been overlooked for so long a time. 



The genus was at first defined by Michelin without mention of 

 species, while the first species given ( C. cornucopice, q.v.) was referred 

 to by name only, without any diagnosis ; it was not until Michelin 

 published his important " Iconographie Zoophytologique " that any 

 description of illustrative species appeared. Eut Michelin, in this 

 publication, adopted a geographical and not a zoological arrangement 

 for his data, describing the coral faunas of various districts without 

 any regular zoological order ; the work also appeared in parts, whose 

 publication was spread over several years (184U to 1847). 



The genus Caninia is first mentioned in the "Iconographie" (p. 81) 

 without diagnosis, and a new species, C. gigantea, figured and described. 

 Before any further parts containing a reference to the genus were 



1 Commuuicated by permissiou of the Direct^' of the Geological Survey of Great 

 Britain. 



