31 
Fig. 4, of Plate IV. is the representation of the stellated surface of 
a madreporite, of a form sufficiently distinct from that of any other to 
allow of its being considered as a distinct species, should its frequent 
appearance in other specimens give reason to suppose that it had a 
constancy of character, and that it did not result from an accidental 
or sportive variation in the erection of the polypean fabric. The per- 
pendicular laminae have united in two lines, which, by crossing each 
other, have so quartered the star, as to have made it yield the appear- 
ance of a flower with four expanded petals. The other part of the surface 
of this fossil has been so rubbed down by attrition in the water, as to 
have deprived it considerably of its natural appearance. Its general form, 
however, is that of the turbinated madrepore. 
The star with a convex surface, represented Plate IV. Fig. appears 
to be the impression on lime-stone of the upper surface of a turbinated 
madreporite. The calcareous spathose particles having been deposited 
in all the hollow parts of the coral, and having become firmly indurated, 
have retained the form which they thus assumed, whilst the madrepore 
itself has been removed. 
The Fungites major orbicularis Gothlandicus, figured by Langius * and 
by Bromell ;'f' and placed under this species by the author of Corallia 
Baltica, and in the Systema Naturae of Linn^us, by Gmelin, I shall 
venture to place among the mineralized alcyonia ; trusting that in its 
proper place I shall be able to shew the propriety of this dissent from 
authorities so high and respectable. 
There are among the fossil single starred corals, some which, with the 
general form and other specific characters of the turbinated madrepore, 
possess also some other distinctive characters, which, from their constancy, 
seem to point out these corals, as deserving to be considered as so 
many distinct species. 
* Historia Lapidum Figuratorum Helvetiee, P. 52. Tab. 12. 
f Bromel. Lithog. Sp. 2. 36. 
