42 
referred to a wrong figure in the Corallia Baltica. Of its existence in 
a fossil state I am unable to speak. Madrepora interstincta spongiosa, 
does not appear to be known in a mineral state. Madrepora stellulata, as 
well as m. pocidata, are sometimes seen in a state which would almost 
incline to the suspicion of their being fossils ; but as this state may be 
induced by other causes, there does not seem to exist sufficient authority 
for placing them amongst the fossil corals. Madrepora foliosa, is very 
erroneously referred for illustration by Gmelin to Tab. II. Fig. 3 and 4, 
of BaieFs Monumenta Rerum Retrijicariim ; since the figures given by 
Baier are undoubtedly the representations of an alcyonium, and is 
indeed designated by Baier as afungites striatus. I do not know of this 
madrepore having been discovered in a fossil state. 
The madrepora astroites of Linnaeus does not appear to be exactly 
ascertained. According to the Linnaean description, it is formed of 
stars very closely crowded together, (stellis confertissimis) whilst the 
description of Solander and Ellis places porous interstices between the 
stars, and the fossil coral of Mylius, which is referred to this species, 
has very considerable interstices between the stars. Without dwelling 
here on the consideration of the recent coral, it is proper to remark, 
that writers on secondary fossils have frequently applied the term 
astroites, generally, to all such fossil corals as present the appearance 
of stars collected together ; and have very seldom intended to designate 
thereby any particular species ; but, on the contrary, have placed under 
this title corals, differing very much from each other in size, and in many 
other respects. Bertrand even considers the astroites as of a different 
family from the madrepores. 
No fossil has been more frequently considered as an astroites than 
that fossil madrepore which has been found so abundantly in some 
parts of Wales, and which Lhwyd has named lithostrotion, sive basaltes 
minimus striatus, et stellatus,* from its resemblance, in miniature, to 
* Lithophylacii Britannici Ichnographia. Epistol. V. Tab, 23. 
