6’2 
parts. On one part of the specimen is represented the star which 
appears on a transverse section being made of one of these bodies. 
The perpendicular lamellae, which correspond with the longitudinal 
external striae, vary in number and length ; but all proceed from the 
circumference towards the centre, and, as in the madreporean stars in 
general, are intersected by perpendicular lamellae, disposed in concentric 
circles, and by others passing in a transverse direction. 
It may not be amiss to observe in this place, that the numerous 
sections of fossil corals to which I have been under the necessity ot 
having recourse, have shewn that the number of radii in the stars is a 
circumstance too variable to be employed as it has been by Mr. Ellis, 
Dr. Solander, and the illustrious Linnaeus, to mark a specific difference. 
Thus in the coral now before us, the radii agreeing with the number 
of striae observable externally, and the number of these depending on 
freijuency of their divarication which must of course be according 
to the extent of the growth of the coral ; the number of striae must 
differ very much in the less grown coral, or in a section of its narrow 
part, from what would be found in the full grown coral, or m a section 
of its most enlarged part. The application of this observation to every 
madrepore which expands with its growth, must be sufficiently obvious. 
This fossil has not, to my knowledge, been yet noticed by any author, 
neither do I discover that it has been known to exist in a recent 
state. 
The fossil which is represented, Plate VI. Fig. 7, is particularly- 
deserving of attention. It is composed of a coral in a mineralized 
state, imbedded in, and indeed helping to form, a dark coloured lime- 
stone, the interstitial part of which has evidently owed its origin to the 
disintegration of shells, corals, &c. and to the chemical recomposition of 
their particles. 
The coral itself appears to have consisted of deeply striated and 
nearly cylindrical branches, which are, in general, about half an inch 
