214 PALEONTOLOGY OF OHIO. 



Genus CONSTELLAEIA, Dana. 



(Zooph., p. 537, 1846.) 



Stellipora, Hall ; Pal. N. Y., Vol. I., p. 79, 1847. 



Corallum compound, composed of numerous cylindrical corallites, 

 which radiate in all directions from an imaginary central plane or axis, 

 and which are more or less conspicuously separated by very minute in- 

 tervening tubuli. Septa absent. Tubulae well developed. No mural 

 pores. Surface exhibiting numerous star-like spaces, which consist of a 

 central, depressed, solid, or minutely tubular area, Surrounded by a num- 

 ber of prominent elevated ridges, which are radiately arranged, and 

 carrj'- the ordinary corallites. 



No doubt can be entertained as to the propriety of the removal of Con- 

 stellaria from the Polyzoa, and its reference to the true corals. It is not, , 

 however, altogether certain if the genus can be properly placed in the 

 Favositidse, in the immediate neighborhood of Chsetetes, as has usually been 

 done. In many respects, Constellaria presents a very striking resemblance 

 to the frondescent forms of Chsetetes, but there would also be good ground 

 for referring the genus to the Milleporidee and placing it near Fisiulipora, 

 McCoy. 



Constellaria antheloidea, Hall. 



Stellipora antheloidea, Hall; Pal. N. Y., Vol. I., pi. 26, figs. 10a, 10c. 

 Stellipora antheloidea, D'Orbigny; Prod., 1850. 



Constellaria antheloidea, Milne Edwards and Haime; Pol. Foss. des Terr. Palseoz., pi. 

 20, fig. 7. 



Corallum composed of palmate or sub-palmate expanded fronds, or 

 flattened stems, which must have grown in an erect position, attaining 

 a height of two inches or more, and having a thickness of from one and 

 a half to two lines. Surface polypiferous on all sides, the corallites cyl- 

 indrical, and radiating in all directions from an imaginary central plane 

 or axis. Scattered over the entire surface are numerous conspicuous, 

 more or less prominent stars, each of which has a diameter of one line 

 or a little less, and is composed of a central, sometimes depressed, smooth 

 area, and of generally from six to eight prominently elevated ridges, 

 which radiate from the central space, and occasionally have .- mailer rays 

 intercalated between them. The stars are usually circular in shape, 

 sometimes elongated or elliptical, and generally arranged in irregular 



