58 
The tahulcc arc complete, making their appearance soon after 
deflection of the tubes from the axial region, and gradually increasing 
in number and contiguity to one another as the surface is approached. 
The chief jDoints for specific determination arc — 1. The dichotomous 
method of branching ; 2. The almost invariable presence of a large acantho- 
pore at most of the angles of junction of the corallitcs, a character specially 
dwelt on by Lonsdale,^ who mentions that there is only one “ relatively large 
tubercle ” in the “ interspaces between four mouths 3. The absence of 
tahulm in the axial region. 
Amongst the synonyms of Sfenopora ovaia generally given by authors 
is the Favoslles ovata, De Kouinck." The fossil there described as possessing 
pores cannot he accepted as a Stenopora, and as regards the figures there 
must he an error. De Koninck’s Tig. 5 of the plate cited heloAV represents 
corallites at least twice too large for those of /S', ovaia, hut, on the other 
hand. Dig. 5^r, said to he an enlargement of the former, distinctly shows 
moniliform expansions of the walls, after the manner of that species. Dig. 5, 
on the contrary, has far more the appearance of Tracliypora Willdnsoni, 
mihi, and the presence of pores will then he quite in accord with the structure 
of the latter ; at the same time, the walls of the corallites arc not annulated. 
As so much doubt, therefore, surrounds the identity of this fossil, I have not 
included it in the synonomy of Stenopora ovata. 
In the beautiful figures of this species given by ^Messrs. Waagen and 
Wentzel the moniliform anuulatious arc in places confluent. As previously 
stated, I have not observed this in any New South Wales, although it is 
apparent in Tasmanian examples ; hut, otherwise, the Indian form appears to 
coincide with that from our rocks. 
A re-examination of the form called by Prof. Nicholson and the 
Writer S. Lelclihardti^ has shaken the Writer’s faith in the distinctness of 
this as a species, and it may liave to l)c referred to S. ovata. The chief 
point of difference relied on for their separation was the greater prevalence of 
acanthopores and their larger size in the former species, the long fusiform, 
and at times almost confluent periodical thickenings, and the very simple 
tuhe-like nature of the acanthoj)ores. The examination of additional material 
1 Strzelecki’s Phys. Descrip. N. S. Wales, &c. , 1845, p. 2G4. 
- Foss. Pal. Nouv. Galles ilu Sud, 1877, p. 156, Pt. Ill, t. 7, f. 5, 5\ 
^ Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 1586, XVII, p. 179. t. 3, f. 7 and 8. 
