FOSSIL FAUNA. 87 



PLATE XXXIV. , . . . 



(Plates XXXIV. to LXXIV. inclusive, are from Parkinson's Organic Eemains.) 



Fossil Tubipore, from Derbyshire. 

 [Syringopora geniculata, of Phillips, from the Mountain Limestone, Derbyshire.) 



The specimen figured is a mass of limestone, on the surface of which is spread out in high 

 relief a delicate tubiporite, or fossil coral, allied to the Tubipora, or " Organ-pipe coral," so 

 generally preserved in cabinets of natural curiosities, from the beauty and elegance of its 

 crimson tubes. The fossil, however, though somewhat resembling the recent coral in its general 

 form^ belongs to an extinct genus. 



This Syringopora appears to have been very abundant in the sea in which the strata of 

 mountain or carboniferous limestone were deposited, for it forms entire beds of great extent. 

 A beautifully figured marble results from this coral, when the interstices of its tubes have been 

 filled up with compact calcareous matter. A small polished slab is represented in fig. 2. At 

 Matlock, vases, and other ornamental articles, are made of it ; and the sections of the coral 

 tubes impart considerable variety of figures.' 



Some slabs of this fossil coral are of a dull red hue, which there is every reason to conclude 

 is due to the colour of the original; and not only are traces of the natural tints of the living 

 zoophyte preserved, but even the animal membrane of the coral ; and this may be exposed by 

 immersing a fragment of the marble in dilute muriatic (hydrochloric) acid. Mr. Parkinson thus 

 describes the result of his first experiment : — 



" A fragment of the marble (Plate XXXIV. fig. 2) was exposed to the action of muriatic 

 acid in a very dilute state. As the calcareous earth was dissolved, and the carbonic acid escaped, 

 I was delighted to observe the membranaceous substance appear, depending from the stone in 

 light, flocculent, elastic flakes. Many of these retained a deep red colour, and appeared in 

 a beautiful and distinct manner, although not absolutely retaining the form of the tubipore. 

 A faithful representation of this appearance is given in fig. 3." 



This experiment of Mr. Parkinson was highly important, as proving the previously almost 

 incredible fact, that animal membrane, when hermetically sealed, as it were, in the solid stone, 

 was as indestructible as the rock itself. It suggested, too, the probability that vestiges of other 

 animal tissues might be traced in organic remains, and encouraged subsequent observers to seek 



' Articles of this kind may be obtained of Mr. Tennant, 149, Strand. 



