124 PROF. p. MARTIN BTTlirCAlSr's RETISIOK OE THE 



being near the columella. Endothecawell developed. Epitheca 

 thin and complete. 



Distribution. — Fossil. Oligoeene : India (Sind). Miocene : 

 Europe. — Recent. Indian Ocean, Eed Sea, Pacific, Australian 

 seas, "West Indies. 



The genus Metastrcea, Milne-Edwards and Jules Haime, Hist. 

 Nat. des Corall. vol. ii. p. 525, cannot be considered in the light 

 of a genus when contrasted with Prionastrcsa. The only distinction 

 is one of growth, and in Metastrcea the walls are compact in 

 their whole height. This compactness is seen in portions of 

 species of Prionastrcea. 



Metastrcea is absorbed in Prionastrcea. 



Grenus PLACASTRiEA, StoliczTca, Cretaceous Corals of Southern 

 India, Palceontogra'phica Indica, vol. iv. (4) 1873, p. 33, 

 pi. vii. fig. 1. 



Colony massive, convex. Corallites united by their walls, 

 which are fused. Caliees irregularly disposed, close, polygonal, 

 separated by ridges. Columella lamellar, solid, with a finely 

 granulated upper edge. Septa numerous, close, finely denticulate 

 and granular, confluent over the narrow calicular wall. 



Distribution. — Fossil. Cretaceous of Southern India. 



This genus resembles Isastrcea, but there is the addition of a 

 lamellar columella. The method of increase is not given by 

 Stoliczka ; but it certainly was not fissiparous, as in Lamellastrcea, 

 Duncan. 



Grenus Eltsastejea, Laube, "Faune der SchicTit. von St. Cassian,'" 

 DenJcs. der Kais. Akad. der Wiss. Wien, 1864, Bd. xxiv. 

 p. 261. 



Colony csespitose, subplane above, composed of corallites 

 springing from a base of greater or less width, united by their 

 walls or by costse to a certain extent high up. Caliees irregular 

 in shape, usually united to their neighbours by a broad surface. 

 Columella rudimentary or spongy. Septa unequal, flexuous, 

 serrate. Endotheca abundant. G-emmation within the cabces. 

 Epitheca exists. 



Distribution. — Fossil. St. Cassian deposits : Europe. Infra- 

 Lias: England. 



