Dr. R. Schifer—On Phillipsastrea, @ Orb. 401 
Phillipsastrea tuberosa he says (loc. cit. p. 896) “the corallum is 
mammillated, and there is a stout laterally-pressed columella.” 
It is evident that, if Mr. Thomson were correct in stating that 
Phillipsastrea radiata and Phillipsastrea tuberosa really possessed a 
columella, then the union of Phillipsastrea and Smithia, as proposed 
by Kunth and accepted by subsequent writers, would be incorrect ; 
on the contrary, both genera would have to be maintained in the 
sense in which they were proposed by Messrs. Edwards and Haime. 
It therefore appeared to me desirable to re-examine the original 
specimens of M‘Coy and of Messrs. Edwards and Haime, which are 
contained in the Woodwardian Museum at Cambridge, as also the 
specimens in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), to ascertain whether 
they possessed a columella or no. Below I give a short description 
of the specimens, together with the results of the observations I was 
- able to make. 
PHILLIPSASTRHA RADIATA, 8. Woodw. sp. 
(Tubipora radiata, S. Woodw., Syn. Table of Brit. Organic Remains, p. 5, 1830). 
Spec. Char.—Corallum massive, composite, forming irregular 
broad astreiform masses. Distance from centre to centre of the 
calices from 5mm. to 12mm. Diameter of the calicular axial 
fossa from 2mm. to 38mm. ‘The circumference of the calicular fossa 
raised in a slightly prominent rim. The inclination of the inner 
surface of this calicular fossa almost perpendicular. Depth of the 
calicular fossa about Imm. Septa thin, 22-30, and confluent 
with those of the neighbouring calices. Septa alternately longer 
and shorter; of the longer septa two or more opposite ones meet 
and thus form in the calicular fossa a transverse ridge, which 
sometimes is joined by other septa. The shorter septa reach only a 
very short way into the calicular fossa. Vesicular tissue is plenti- 
fully developed between the septa. It consists of hollow, semi- 
cylindrical vesicles, the concave side downwards, axis of the semi- 
cylinders perpendicular to the septa. In close proximity to the 
calicular fossa the vesicles are somewhat smaller, more closely set, 
and the concave side is here turned downwards and outwards. In 
the inner part of the corallite tabule are developed; these are mostly 
horizontal, still they occasionally bend upwards in the middle and 
thus assume the form of an obtuse cone with its apex uppermost. 
Observations and Remarks.—It is known that this species was 
proposed by Messrs. Hdwards and Haime for certain Corals, described 
by M‘Coy partly as Sarcinula placenta, partly as Sarcinula Phillipsi. 
The specimens in the Cambridge Museum were the type specimens 
of Edwards and Haime, these being also the original specimens of 
M‘Coy. During my visit to Cambridge I had the opportunity of 
studying them. They agree in so many points that Edwards and 
Haime appear to have had very good ground for classing them as 
one species. The specimen described and figured by M‘Coy as 
Sarcinula placenta shows somewhat smaller dimensions than that 
which he describes as Sarcinula Phillipsi. Moreover, when M‘Coy 
states that in. Sarcinula placenta the tabule are more horizontal, 
DECADE III.—VOL. VI.—NO. IX, 26 
