144 



PALEONTOLOGY OF NEW-YORK. 



Genus CALLOPORA {nov. gen.). 

 [Gr. xaXXog, pulcher, and -Tropos, pora.^ 



Ramose or encrusting species of corals, having a columnar structure ; cells tubular, with 

 the apertures circular or petaloid, not contiguous, and having the intermediate spaces occupied 

 by angular cell-like openings which are transversely septate ; tubular cells rarely septate. 



The species of this genus are all beautiful corals in their structure and surface appearance. 

 The first species under the genus often grows in large groups or cespitose masses, though it 

 is sometimes seen incrusting other corals and attaching itself to some other substances. The 

 terminations of the stems are sometimes hollow, and it has the aspect of a Bryozoa, but it 

 is evidently a true coral. 



This genus includes species in many respects allied to Ceriopora of Goldfuss, and more 

 nearly to those separated by de Blainville under the name of Heteropora. They possess to 

 some extent the characters of Heliopora and Millepora, but are essentially distinct. The 

 Heteropora crassa of Lonsdale (Murchison's Sil. System, pag. 680, pi. 15, fig. 14), is pro- 

 bably referable to this genus. Our specimens differ from Heteropora in the septate character 

 of the cells and intercellular spaces, and in the columnar structure ; and, although sometimes 

 approaching that genus in their mode of growth, are nevertheless more often solid, prismatic 

 or columnar in structure, and more or less ramose or lobato-ramose in form. The true Hete- 

 ropora from the chalk have round tubular cells, with minutely tubular interspaces ; but in no 

 case have I been able to discover septa crossing the cells or interspaces, nor in this character 

 mentioned by de Blainyille. 



534. 1. CALLOPORA ELEGANTULA (». sp.). 



PL. XL. Fig. \a-m. 



Coral consisting of cespitose or fruticulose groups, composed of small stems, frequently 

 branching ; branches bifurcating or variously diverging from the stems, solid, extremities often 

 hollow, or having a cup-like termination ; apertures of cells circular, with intermediate an- 

 gular cellular spaces ; the circular apertures often having a smaller central point, or circle 

 with rays extending to the outer walls. Intercellular spaces variable in extent, often irregular ; 

 circular openings of cells usually destitute of rays ; cells tubular, extending to the axis m solid 

 specimens, often filled and separating in prismatic forms. 



This is a very beautiful coral, and readily recognized by its small circular openings, which 

 are usually separated from each other by cellular Interspaces which open on the surface in an- 

 gular apertures. In some specimens the cells are absolutely contiguous, as far as they can be 

 without compressing the circular walls, leaving triangular interspaces where three cells meet. 

 In other cases there is a narrow row of meshes between the circular openings, separating them 

 very slightly ; and again these are expanded and become two rows, or cover an irregular space. 



