CORALS FROM THE INFERIOR OOLITE. 137 



Microphjllia the furrows are deeper, and the costse, according to M. D'Orbigny, are 

 dichotomous.' As to the differences in the general form of the compound coraUum, we have 

 found every intermediate degree between the massive astreiform species, and the sub- 

 dendroid species, without seeing any difference in the structure of the coralHtes, and all 

 these modifications exist sometimes in different parts of the same specimen. We must 

 therefore conclude that, contrary to what is the case in most of the Astreidse, the greater 

 or lesser degree of approximation of the corallites or their mode of cementation, is here a 

 circumstance of no zoological value, and must not be employed as a basis for generical 

 divisions. We consequently do not deem it advisable to adopt the three genera above 

 mentioned, and prefer placing all these species in the genus Latomeandra. The group 

 thus formed is remarkable for the manner in which the submarginal calicular gemmation 

 takes place, and by its costulated, naked walls ; this last-mentioned character distinguishes 

 it from the genus Isastrea, which resembles it much by the structure of the corallites, but 

 in which the calices are circumscribed. 



Latomeandra Flemingi difiers from most species of the same genus by its septa being 

 very thin and very numerous. In L. corrugata they are, however, even more numerous, 

 and become frequently adherent together, a disposition which is not met with in the above- 

 described fossil. 



2. Latomeandra Davidsoni. Tab. XXVII, figs. 10, 10(7. 



Corallwn composite, massive, and very convex. Intercalicular ridges simple and not 

 much elevated. Furrows short, shallow, and containing a few very distinct calicular centres. 

 8e2ita rather closely set, slightly thick outwards, irregularly unequal in size, generally 

 curved and delicately crenulated at their edge. Breadth of the calices about two lines. 



This fossil belongs to Dr. Wright's collection, and was found in the Inferior Oolite at 

 Crickley, near Cheltenham. 



L. Davidsoni may be easily distinguished from the other species of the same genus by 

 the small number and the thickness of its septa. The species which it resembles most are 

 the one described above^ and L. Meriani^ but in these the septa are at least as thick 

 towards the centre of the cahce as outwards, and the calices are shallower. 



1 Op. cit., p. 8. 



2 Latomeandra Flemingi, tab. xxvii, fig. 9. 



3 ComophylUa elegans, D'Orbigny, Prod, de Paleont., vol. ii, p. 40 ; Latomeandra Meriani, Milue 

 Edwards and J. Hainie, Polyp, des Terr. Palseoz., &c., p. 86. 



18 



