FOSSIL FAUNA. 89 



PLATE XXXV. 



The subjects here figured are Fossil Corals. 



Fig. 1. {Syringopora ramulosa.^ A fragment of another species of the coral previously described ; 

 from the mountain limestone. 



Fig. 2, represents four connected tubes of the recent organ-pipe coral {Bardnula muska) of 

 New Holland, to show the structure of this type of Zoophytes. Coloured figures of 

 the live polypes of this coral are given in Wonders of Geology, sixth edition, vol. ii. 

 plate vi. 



Fig. 3. A polished slab of marble, the white markings in which are produced by sections of the 

 tubes of the same species of coral as that represented in fig. 1. 



Fig. 4. {Catenipora eschciroides.) The fossil here delineated is well known to collectors by the 

 name of " chain-coral" derived from the elegant cateniform markings produced by 

 transverse sections of the parallel tubes, which being of an oval form, and in close 

 apposition, give rise to chain-like figures, as shown in figs. 5 and 6. From Dudley. 



This fossil coral abounds in that division of the Silurian formation termed the Wenlock or 

 Dudley limestones, wherever these deposits occur. The most exquisite specimens are obtained 

 from the Falls of the Ohio, at Louisville, in the United States of America. A coral reef of the 

 Silurian epoch here exists in the bed of the mighty stream of fresh water, almost as perfect as 

 when growing in its native sea ! The river dashes over the entire mass in the season of high 

 water ; but in those periods when the stream is low, the ridge of coral is exposed, and its surface 

 then presents the most extraordinary display of Silurian corals, of numerous species and genera, 

 standing in relief on the more compact masses of the rock. The substance of the corals, beinf 

 siliceous, resists the action of the cataract, while the softer calcareous matter which filled up the 

 interstices of the tubes, lamellas, &c. of the zoophytes, is washed away atom by atom; and natural 

 dissections are formed, which art would in vain attempt to imitate. Dr. Yandell, of the Medical 

 College, Louisville, and Dr. Clapp, of New Albany, have splendid collections from the Falls, 

 which every geologist and intelligent traveller who visits Kentucky should not fail to examine : 

 the masses of Astrea3, JNIadrepores, &c. are so fresh in their aspect, as not to be readily dis- 

 tinguished from the recent specimens of the same genera which are placed beside them.' 



Fig. 5, is a transverse section of a mass of chain-coral from Dudley. 



Fig. 6. The same, as seen by transmitted light. 



' See Sir Cliarles Lyell's Travels in the United States ; and Drs. Yandell and Shumard's " Contributions to the Geology of 

 Kentucky." Louisville, 18i7. 



