116 



ON THE FOSSIL CORALS OF THE 



owing to tlieir flexuositj, are at times in contact, and often two^ 

 three or four lines apart. In large colonies wliich have grown lux- 

 uriantly without the interference of disturbing causes, the corallites 

 are more regular than in the smaller or stunted groups, in which the 

 corallites are much bent and confused. The connecting processes 

 are very short and distant, and appear to be sometimes mere inoscu- 

 lations of the stems. The corallites, after growing separately for a 

 short distance, approach each other and seem to grow together or 

 adhere to each other for the space of a line and a-half or more, they 

 then diverge and again unite. These points of contact occur at dis- 

 tances varying from three lines to six, nine, or even twelve lines. 

 Externally they exhibit numerous other indistinct annulations, and 

 also faint indications of longitudinal striae. 



Locality and Formation. — Devonian ; abundant in the Corniferous 

 limestone of Canada "West. 



Yig.Vl. S. tubiporoides. Fig. 18. S.Hiaingeri. iPig. 19. S.eUgms, 



Syeinggpoea Hisingeei. — (Billings.) 



This species forms large masses of very long, nearly parallel or 

 slightly varying, slender corallites, which are closely aggregated, and 

 present a rugged or knobby appearance from the great number of 

 the connecting tubes. The diameter of the corallites is one-third of 

 a line, or a little more. The tubes of connexion are distant from 

 two-thirds of a line to one line and a-half. The distance between 

 the corallites is for the greater part less than their diameter. The 

 young coraUites branch from the sides of the adult individuals, and 

 immediately become parallel with the parent, and connected with it 

 again by the usual tubes of connexion. 



Formation and Locality. — Devonian ; Corniferous limestone, 

 Canada "West, (common.) 



