66 THE FOSSIL COEALS AND 



gular on the calicular surface ; and the calices have their septa arranged partly in four, 

 five, or six unequal lozenge-shaped or triangular masses, one lozenge belonging, as it were, 

 by the continuity of its septa, to a neighbouring corallite. The massed septa are on a 

 higher level than the others, which are in grooves between them or in depressions. Usually 

 there are stout linear masses of several septa also, or a single large septum may form one. 



The septa are close, crowded, rather irregular in their course, and there may be from 

 one to six in the elevated " septal masses." In the intermediate spaces they are of the 

 same shape, and may equal the others in number. Several septa unite in the axial space, 

 producing a small nodule simulating a styloid columella. The limits of the calices are 

 indefinite in consequence of the intercalation of the groups of septa, of which probably 

 there are four cycles. 



The synapticulse are numerous and close, and may be seen on the calicular surface ; 

 and they are equally numerous between the long septal laminae in longitudinal section. 



There is no other endotheca or epitheca. 



The coral covers some inches of surface and is tall. 



The calices are not in series, and about six of them occupy the length of an inch. 



Locality. Maliri, south of Chotra, at the top of the Khirthar beds, or at the base 

 of the Nari series. Survey-number G ^^. 



Illustrations of the Species in Plate V. 



Fig. 7. Corallum, upper surface : natural size. 

 8. Calices : magnified. 



Genus PLESIASTRiEA,' Jf. Ed. & J. H. 

 1. PlesiastRuEA Eocenica, Duncan. Plate XIX, Figs. 8-10. 



The corallum is large, massive, plain beneath, and rather gibbous above ; or it may 

 be boldly convex above, and low and broadly pedunculate. 



The calices, very unequal in size, are usually circular in outline, separated by a 

 distinct groove and are slightly raised, the margin occupied by the junction of the 

 costse and septa being circular, broad, and overhanging the calices. Some calices, where 

 there is much crowding, are deformed. The calices are, when perfect, rather deep, 

 and there is a small columella and an imperfect row of pali, which are usually before 

 the septa of perfect cycles, except the tertiaries ; they are small, and but little broader 

 and higher than the septal ends. The septa, never in four complete cycles, are thin, 

 not often straight, and are not exsert. The costse are much larger than the septa, form 

 a rim to the margin, and are subequal, the primaries being distinguishable by their 

 length: all are close, crowded, slightly rounded, not spined, and are distinct from 

 those of the neighbouring corallites. The thin septa and the thick costte are very 

 characteristic. 



Height of the corallum 3 inches ; length 8 inches. 



There are about three calices and their costse to the length of 1 inch. The costal 

 rim is ^ inch broad in many calices. 



