PLEIOCENE FOSSILS. 



POLYP ARIA. 



ASTILEA.— Lam. 

 ASTKffilA BELLA.— Con. 



Plate I. Fig. 1. 



Astrsea bella, Con., Journal Ac. Nat. Sci., Vol. VIII., p. 189. 1842. 

 Astrsea hirtolamellata, MicheUn, — ? Icon. Zooph., p. 162, pi. 44, fig. 5. 1845. 

 Astraea hirtolamellata, Lonsdale, Quar. Jour. Geo. Soc, London, Vol. I., p. 499. 



A. stellis polygonalibus, incequalibus, profundis, lamellosis ; lamellis nitmerosis, majoribus 

 minoribusque alternis, denticidatis, hirtis, marginibus irregulariter plicatis. 



Description. Stars polygonal, inequilateral, deep, lamellar ; lamellae numerous, alter- 

 nately larger and smaller, denticulated and rough, on the edges, on the sides prominently 

 papillated ; partitions between the stars thin and plaited by the alternate position of the 

 lamella? of the adjacent stars. 



This coral, which is generally found incrusting other bodies, often assumes a globular 

 shape. It is readily distinguished by the denticulated lamellae, the great depth and well 

 defined angles of the cells, and the thinness of the partitions. 



Mr. Lonsdale refers this fossil without doubt to A hirtolamellata, MicheUn. It is 

 scarcely possible, however, that in the upper Tertiary beds of the United States there 

 should be found a fossil common to them and the Eocene of Grignon. 



Plate I., Fig. 1. Coral nat. size, on a fragment of Pecten. 

 " la. Star Magnified. 



Locality. Darlington District. 



Museum, College of Charleston, S. C. 



