134 Reports and Proceedings— 
which is inclosed, on both sides, by a later formed sclerenchyma, the 
same as in recent corals. The spines, tubercles, and other out- 
growths on the sides of the septa, which project into the loculi, are 
the same in the Paleozoic and recent forins, and the tabule and 
vesicule of the interior are similar both in the Rugosa and Aporosa. 
Great weight has been laid on the supposed fact that the Aporosa 
have six primary septa and the Rugosa only four. But observations 
on very minute forms of several genera of Rugose corals show that 
in the earliest stages of growth there is either but a single septum, 
or that several are present, for example a specimen of Palgoclycus 
porpita only 1:3 mm. in width possessed 20 septa. Even in so 
strongly a four-sided coral as Goniophyllum we have seen that at first 
there is but a single septum. Perhaps Stauria is the only genus in 
which the septa are four-fold at the commencement and continue so 
throughout its growth. lLindstrém denies the accuracy of Kunth’s* 
figure of the four primary septa in Omphyma turbinata. Even the 
septal fossula, which indicates so plainly a bilateral symmetry in the 
Paleeozoic Rugosa, can be paralleled in existing corals. Again, the 
existing genera Primnoa and Paramuricea possess an opercular appa- 
ratus of eight valves. And lastly, the existing Aporosa also increase 
by calicinal budding in the same manner as many of the Paleozoic 
Rugosa. 
A table is appended showing the distribution in space and time of 
the operculate corals. Thirteen species, belonging to seven genera, 
are at present known. None have been found below the Silurian 
(= Upper Silurian, Lind.), but in this division eleven species of six 
genera appear; the lowest division of the Devonian has but a single 
species, whilst in the Middle Devonian the group is finally repre- 
sented by a single species. The group thus appears to reach a 
maximum development in that division of the Silurian which 
corresponds nearest to the English Wenlock. 
We have only to add that in the nine plates accompanying this 
important monograph, the corals themselves and all their structural 
details are fully illustrated. G. J. H. 
me OBS ZAIND) 2] eOC BD ENG 
——_>—_——_ 
GronogicaL Society oF Lonpon. 
I.—January 10, 1883.—J. W. Hulke, Esq., F.R.S., President, in 
the Chair.—The following communications were read :— 
1. ‘‘On the Lower Eocene Section between Reculvers and Herne Bay, 
and some Modifications in the Classification of the Lower London 
Tertiaries.”” By J. 8S. Gardner, Esq., F.G.S. 
The author noticed Prof. Prestwich’s classification of the Lower 
London Tertiaries, and the introduction by the Survey of the term 
‘‘Qldhaven Beds” for some of his basement beds of the London Clay. 
He next discussed the conditions under which the Lower Tertiaries 
were produced, and showed that throughout the Eocenes there are 
1 Wachsthumsgesetz der Zoantharia rugosa, taf. 18, fig. 3. 
