32 PBOF. P. M. DUNCAN ON A NEW GENUS OF MADREPORAB1A. 



which was only well seen in a few calices. He asked if a section 

 of the coral had been made, as this wonld show whether there is 

 really a columella or not. c^j^~^ 



alp. Etheeidge said there had boon several specimens of Sept- 

 astrcea Forhesi at the British Museum, and they were identical 

 with those on the table. The septa are waved, and they anastomose 

 more than was shown by Dr. Duncan's figures. The speaker then 

 proceeded to point out some of the other minute characters of the 

 genus Septastrcea, and especially showed that the junction of the 

 septa at the commencement of fissiparity was very difficult to recog- 

 nize, but, if seen, was unmistakable. 



Dr. Duncan, in reply, said the type of M.-Edwards and Haime 

 had been in the Museum of the Geological Surve} r , and had been 

 sent to the British Museum, consequently he could not lay it on the 

 table. He showed that there was a distinction to be made between 

 the columella and any prolongation of the septa at the commence- 

 ment of fissiparity, and that this could be recognized in the fractured 

 part of the specimen. 



