652 
ME. P. MARTIN DUNCAN ON THE GENERA HETEEOPH YLLI A , 
dissepiment. In the longitudinal sections the obliquity of the dissepiments is seen, and 
it explains the appearance in the transverse view. The dissepiments are numerous and 
curved, and they unite with the central tabulae. There is no columella in the species. 
The septa of some of the specimens of the discoidal species are not of the same size on 
both halves of the calices, and very often one septum is longer than the others. The 
cyclical arrangement of the septa in six or in four systems is never distinguishable. It 
must be remembered that the discoidal species may be in some instances (for there are 
several new discoidal species) the young of the taller and tabulate corallites. 
The removal of the genus Paloeocyclus from the family of the Fungidce is necessary, 
and it is very evident that the species classified under it belong to two divisions of the 
family Cyathophyllidce. The Cyaihophylliclw with large tabulae and short septa have 
been separated from the genus Cyathopkyllum, whose species have the septa passing to 
the axis of the corallum, and have been arranged under the genus CampophyMum, Ed. 
et II. ; but it is too specific a distinction to be of generic value. It is therefore proposed 
to place all the species of Paloeocyclus in the genus CyatliopJiyllum , which, like the genus 
Montlivoltia , now possesses simple corallites of every form. 
The genus Paloeocyclus may therefore be abolished altogether, and its species will be 
named as follows : — 
1. Cyathopkyllum porpita, Linnaeus, sp. 
2. - prceacutus, Lonsdale, sp. 
3. Fletcheri. Ed. et H., sp. 
4. Edwardsi, the rugosus of Ed. et H. 
5. Genus Asterosmilia. 
Whilst investigating the fossil corals of the Nivaje shale* of San Domingo, my atten- 
tion was strongly attracted by the very unusual combination of structural elements 
presented by a species named Trochocyathus abnormalis, nobis. Mr. Lonsdale had 
noticed the peculiarities of the specimens in his manuscript notes, and had proposed to 
include the species in a new genus. 
Lately ether specimens have been examined, and the necessity of forming a new 
generic division which will include these species has become evident. 
The new genus unites the great families Turbinolidoe and Astroeidoe , between which a 
great break had existed previously. It allies the Trochocyathi, PlacocyatM , and the 
Paracyatlii with the simple Troschosmiliacece, and contains simple corals with endothecal 
structures, columellse, and pali. 
The correct position of the new genus Asterosmilia will be comprehended after the 
study of the characteristics of the families it allies. 
The Madreporaria aporosa are divided into two great groups. In the first, which 
includes the great family of the Turbinolidoe , the interseptal loculi, and the visceral 
cavities, generally speaking, are open from the base to the calice ; and in the last, which 
* Eoss. Corals of the West Indies, Proc. Geol. Soc. 1863. 
