R. G. Carruthers — ARevuion of some Carhoniferous Corals. 167 



only species originally associated with the genus Caninia, and was 

 then definitely given as the type (a statement never withdi'awn by 

 Michelin), in my opinion it must continue to be so regarded, and the 

 name cornii-iovis abandoned. 



While the description and figures in the Iconographie leave much 

 to be desired (the best figure is that of C. cornu-hovis, pi. 47, fig. 8«, 

 where the dissepiments are clearly indicated), Michelin made two 

 observations of great value to later workers in recognising his species ; 

 he noted that specimens were in de Koninck's collection as well as in 

 those of Vanderdecke, de Yerneuil, and himself, while he also quotes 

 certain of de Koninck's figures' of Cyathophyllum mitratum as examples 

 of Caninia cornucopice, and further the only locality given is Tournai, 

 where he remarked that the species were very abundant. Accordingly, 

 when de Koninck redescribed the species many years later, he was 

 able to give a much fuller diagnosis than might have been expected. 



As de Koninck's final description was taken from specimens quoted 

 by Michelin himself, it may be accepted with some confidence, and 

 the present diagnosis of the species is primarily compiled from corals 

 compared with de Koninck's figured specimens, and also from the 

 latter's final description ("jS^ouvelles Recherches," p. 100) given 

 below : — 



" Polypier de taille mediocre, en forme de coue allonge assez fortement recourbe, 

 finement pedicelle, a bourrelets d'accroissement pen marques et a epitheque mince. 

 Calice circulaire a bords amincis et assez profond ; trente a treute-deux cloisous 

 principales bien developpees, assez fortes, surtout vers leur partie superieure, mais 

 ne s'etendant pas jusqu'au centre ou se trouve un petit plancher lisse d'environ 

 2 millimetres de diametre. La plupart des cloisons sont droites, il n'y a que celles 

 qui sont le plus rapprochees de la fossette septale qui s'inflechissent uu peu avant 

 de se rejoindre ; elles altement avec le meme nombre de cloisons rudimentaires peu 

 apparentes. La fossette septale, qui est assez grande et profonde, s'etend du centre du 

 calice jusqu'a la muraille : elle est situee du cote de la grande courbure. Hauteur, 

 4 a 5 centimetres, diametre et profondeur du calice, 1, 5 a 2 centimetres." 



While this diagnosis in reality only refers to one phase of the 

 coral's growth, this phase is by far the commonest at Tournai, and 

 there can be no reasonable doubt as to its coincidence with Michelin's 

 own conception of the species, described by him as being so abundant 

 at this locality. The sections and calyx figured on PI. YI, Figs. 2-2d, 

 are from this common phase of the coral. 



Of the rich assemblage of corals found at Tournai, this species is, 

 as its author noted, remarkable for the ease with which it can be 

 broken open to show the tabulae within, and their deep depression 

 into the cardinal fossula. While this character cannot now be given 

 the importance assigned to it by Michelin, it has a certain value in 

 recognising his species, since amongst the common corals of Tournai 

 only Amplexiis coralloides and Caninia gigantea have this property, 

 and it is easy to see from Michelin's text and figures that neither of 

 these are referred to under Caninia corniicopi(s. 



De Koninck ( " JS'ouvelles Recherches," p. 67) regarded C. cornu-hovis 

 as a synonym of Caninia ibicina (Fisch. d. Wald. ). Enquiries kindly 

 instituted by Professor Yakowlew of St. Petersburg and Professor 



1 Descr. Anim. Foss., pi. C, figs. 5a and oc. 



