SECONDARY AND TERTIARY FORMATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA. 133 



"Encrusting; cells disposed in concentric layers around numerous centres, no regularity respecting the 

 position of the distal extremity ; form quadrangular, bounded by a depressed line, surface very slightly 

 convex, minutely foraminated ; not uniformly in the same plane as the exterior of the cell, round, large, 

 margin in general not raised nor thickened, sometimes notched on the proximal edge, occasionally on one 

 side of the mouth a large pyriform opening to a gemmuliferous (?) walls of cells not separable mechanically ; 

 vertical fracture concentrically laminated; connecting foramina near the base of the walls numerous." 



" This coral agrees with the two preceding (Reptocelledoraria ivformata and Mulliporina umbiUcata) in 

 the general Eschara-like characters of the cells, in the variable position of the distal extremity, in exhibit- 

 ing no changes or external thickenings dependent on age, and in the situation of the supposed gemmuli- 

 ferous vesicle or chamber; but it differed in the walls not being separable mechanically, fractured surfaces 

 displaying almost constantly the interior of cells arranged in concentric layers, and not irregular columns 

 detachable singly : also in the oval aperture having a less uniformly persistent position with respect to the 

 surface plane of the cells, being in some instances terminal, and it resembled in its general characters much 

 more nearly those of the mouth of Cellepora pumicosa. 



This fossil attained considerable dimensions, one botryoidal mass being 4} inches in width, and 3 in 

 height ; and with the exception of the small Balani around which it was encrusted, and a central cavity, it 

 consisted of concentric polype-strata enveloping the botryoidal centres. The individual layers had, however, 

 a limited range. The cells when unaffected by irregularities of surface, had a nearly quadrangular outline ; 

 and the mouth was in the centre of the distal extremity, if unaccompanied by a gemmuliferous (?) vesicle ; 

 but if that structure occurred, it was situated on one side. Many mouthless cells were noticed, both with 

 and without the vesicle ; but the irregularity of development which prevented the formation of the oval 

 aperture, did not apparently interfere in any manner with the perfect conformation of the opening of the 

 supposed reproductive chamber. Indications of the progressive mode of constructing the cells were not 

 observed ; nor, as already stated, were there any signs, either on the surface or subjacent layers, of marked 

 changes or thickenings attendant upon age. In some cases the mouths had apparently been contracted or 

 filled up, but they were generally open ; and obliteration of the pores, where it occurred, was probably due 

 chiefly to the infiltration of calcareous matter." 



R. siMiLis, d'Orb., Pal. Fr., p. 423. 



R. simills, Tuomey and Holmes, Pliocene, South Carolina, p. 16, pi. 4, f. 1?-, 14. 

 Cellepora simills. Lonsdale, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc, vol. 1, p. 509. 

 C. similis, d'Orb. Prod. Pal., vol. 3, p. 136, No. 2563. 



" Lobed or convoluted ; cells globular, confusely aggregated, surface not foraminated, more or less 

 traversed by reticulated or radiating ridges; mouth large, circular, terminal; a large hood-shaped projecting 

 gemmuliferous vesicle." 



" This coral possessed all the leading characters of typical species of the genus, ( Cellepora, Lam , not 

 Fabr., see observations under that genus — G.) and it resembled C. pumicosa, in the form of the cells and in 

 the confused mode of aggregation ; and in that species radiating ridges near the junction of the cells may 

 also occasionally be detected, but to a much less extent than in the fossil under consideration. Tbe leading 

 distinction between the fossil and recent polyparians consisted is the perfect vesicle of the former, when 

 exhibited in sheltered places, not having a long spinous process; and there were other minor peculiarities, 

 as the total absence of a transverse plate near the bottom of the aperture." 



Prof. Holmes says, " This species is easily distinguished from the •pYecedm<r(i»fonna(a) 

 by the more even and less verrucose surface of the masses. The whole is covered by 

 little elevations, which rarely become mammillary. The absence of pores, when viewed 



