229 
o f Edinburgh, Session 1880-81. 
undoubted Zoantharians as Porites. A still closer comparison 
might be made with the septal spines of many species of Fcivosites, 
but it is unnecessary to do this, as the reference of Favosites to the 
Zoantharia would not be universally admitted. Owing to their 
spiniform character (instead of being lamellar), transverse sections 
of the corallites can rarely or never show a complete cycle of the 
septa ; and it is, therefore, difficult to determine how many rows of 
septal spines are present in each coralite. There is, however, no 
sufficient reason to doubt that the septal spines of Syringopora are 
like those of Porites in being really partial calcifications of the 
mesenteries, so that they are properly of a septal nature. 
Taking the whole of the preceding evidence together, I cannot 
avoid coming to the conclusion that the points of difference 
between Tubipora and Syringopora are decidedly more important 
and fundamental than the points of resemblance. I am not, there- 
fore, at present disposed to alter my previously-expressed opinion 
that there exists in reality no actual relationship between these two 
genera, nor am I prepared to admit that Syringopora should be 
rightly referred to the Alcyonaria. On the contrary, I think the 
evidence which is at present available to be decidedly in favour 
of the view that Syringopora belongs to the Zoantharia perforata , 
and that its nearest allies are to be sought for in the Eavositidse, 
the singular genus Syringolites (Hinde), forming a transition 
between Favosites and Syringopora. I am aware that Mr Moseley, 
whose opinion in such a matter deservedly carries exceptional 
weight, is inclined rather to believe that Favosites and its allies 
should be referred to the Alcyonaria. Into this question I cannot 
enter at this moment ; but I hope to be able on a future occasion 
to show, by means of thin sections of both types, that the affinities 
of Favosites are distinctly with Porites , and that the former genus 
properly belongs, as maintained by Terrill, Zittel, and myself, to 
the Zoantharia perforata. 
