1844.] 315 



project more or less, and are variously grouped, but with a ten- 

 dency to a transverse linear arrangement. The furrows between 

 the openings are smooth, or but faintly traversed by longitudinal 

 lines, marking the range of the tubes ; they are, moreover, minutely 

 porous (c). On the reverse side very small pores may also be 

 detected, though not generally, in consequence, probably, of the 

 thickening of the external layer by matter secreted through them. 

 This remark applies likewise to those between the tubular open- 

 ings. On the inner surface of the layer, forming the reverse side, 

 the pores are very distinct and numerous. 



The tubes are angular (d), and have a considerable range, bend- 

 ing conformably to the contortions of the branches. The substance 

 of their walls is not often well preserved, but where it is retained 

 microscopic foramina may be also detected. 



No changes, incident upon age, have been noticed, except the 

 probable thickening of the outer layers on both surfaces : no cases 

 of young' tubes have been observed. 



Locality. Timber Creek, New Jersey. 



3. TuBULirOKA Meg^ra Lonsdale. Sp. n. 



n. The coral of the natural size, to exhibit the general resemblance to the 

 smaller species of Alecto. 



b. Portion magnified, showing the characters of the attached fasciculi and the 

 tubercular openings, 



Dichotomous, fasciculi of tubes slightly conical ; mouths of the 

 tubes united in a round, slightly projecting tubercle. 



To the unassisted eye this coral presents a perfect agreement 

 with Lamouroux's genus Alecto, consisting apparently of simple 

 tubes, and not of fasciculi of 2 to 5 tubuli. 



The fasciculi or branches gradually increase in breadth between 

 the points of bifurcation, the broadest part being adjacent to the 

 mouths. Externally they are round, but the outline of the surface 

 is apparently modified by the papilla of the Echinite to which they 

 are attached. The tubuli, where they have been accidentally 

 exposed, are arranged laterally. The tubercle, composed of the 

 mouths, or probably the abraded base of the vertical portion of the 

 tubuli, is reflected vertically upwards, or is inclined at a consider- 



