FAMILIES AND GENEEA OF THE MADEEPOEABIA. 



33 



Interseptal chambers deep, uninterrupted by dissepiments or 

 tabulae, but filling up solid at tbe bottom. 



In the description of the species, Pourtales notices that the 

 columella is formed of two smooth conical processes, and that thej 

 tend to fill up the coral. There are eight large septa uniting with 

 the columella, and eight smaller reach it at a lower level, and 

 there is a further cycle. 16 tentacles. Height of specimen 

 1*5 centim., diameter 1*2 centim. 



Distribution. — Florida sea, 324 fms. 



The next genus to be considered is unique, and its species are 

 usually stated to have each septum divided into three parts. I 

 cannot agree to this view, and believe that the septa are in sets 

 of three. It forms a group. 



Genus Dasmia, MM. Mihie-Edwards Sf Jules Haime^ Ann. des 

 Sci. Nat. 3^ ser. t. ix. p. 329, pi. 7. fig. 8 (1848), amended. 



The corallum is simple, free, subturbinate, pedicellate. The 

 costss are very broad and separated by deep grooves. Septa in 

 groups of three, with projecting granular ornamentation, Each 

 costa corresponds to three septa. 



Distribution. — Fossil. Neocomian : Europe. Eocene : England 

 and Europe. 



Dasmia is represented in the Neocomian of France, and De 

 Eromentel figures Dasmia Neocomiensis from Saint-Dizier (Haute 

 Marne). The appearance of the calice is as if there were 12 

 groups of 3 septa and a septum betw^een each group (' Polyp, de 

 I'etage Neocomien,' pi. 1. figs. 1 & 2, Paris 1857). 



The type of the genus is Dasmia Sowerbyiy Ed. & H., from the 

 London Clay. 



2. Subfam. Turbinolidce gemmantes. 



In the genus CoenocyatTius, Ed. & H., gemmation occurs froin 

 the living parent and from the buds arising from it also. The 

 budding is not like that of the subgenus BlastotrocJius, or like 

 that which may be seen in Caryophyllia,^'hQve the ova have acci- 

 dentally settled upon the parent, for each bud in the species 

 under consideration communicates by its base, or has communi- 

 cated with the visceral cavity of its parent through the wall. A 

 bush-shaped corallum or colony results ; and in the instance of 

 the genus Ccenocyatlius it attains a considerable size and grows 

 symmetrically. 



LINN. JOTJEN. — ZOOLOGY, YOL. XYIII. 3 



