ROBERTS — UPPER SILURIAN CORALS. 
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simple line-shaped calices. These arc all of small size. So, too, are 
the species of the next genus Monticulipora, i.e. "little mountain pore," 
from its surface being varied by the elevation of tuberosities. All 
the species of this genus are branching, save one — M. jowpillata, 
whose corallum is thin and incrustating. M. Fletcheri has circular 
calices regular in size ; while those of M. imlcliella are oval, or rarely- 
hexagonal, but differ in size, those occupying the tuberosities being 
larger than those that come up in the low-lands. Three other 
species are met with, but rarely. 
Next in order is Labecheia conferta, a disc-like coral, which is 
widely distinct from every other polyparian production ; for the 
calices that come up abundantly to its surface are tubercles in- 
stead of cups, from their margins folding in upon the centre, and, 
as a matter of course, their septa are as rudimentary as are those 
of the FavositidcB. 
Hahjsites catenularia is another aristocratic coral that does not per- 
mit others to claim affinity. Tliis is the common "chain-coral," named 
so by universal consent, from its calices forming a series of inter- 
linked loops across the upper surface, like the links of a golden chain. 
This is a pet species of palaaontologists, for M. Milne Edwards has 
recorded no less than twenty-six synonyms for it en vogue at different 
times and places. It is abundant in every quarry of Wenlock shale, 
but the finest specimens come from Benthall Edge. 
Now for the parasitical corals, Syringopora hifurcata, S.fascicularis, 
and 8. serpens — three species not easy to distinguish at certain stages 
of their growth. They lived upon well-to-do shells and corals in 
those ancient seas, just as species with Hke habits do now, throwing 
up here and there a short calicinal tube as they crept over their sur- 
faces. In after life gemmation out of these produced a mass of 
straight slender corallites, which had an independent existence, and 
grew tall and comely. 
Two others, and the history of our common Wenlock corals is 
ended. Thecia Swindemcma is a massive, but rather thin coral, 
having a flat upper surface covered with beautiful star-like calices, 
whose elegance of design is owing to the development of their septa. 
The other species, T. Grayana is like it in form, but differs in having 
but twelve septa instead of sixteen or eighteen. 
