128 (Review of ^Recent Geological Literature. 
In December, i8S6, Prof. Duncan read a paper on a new genus of 
corals, the publication, however, being made in February, 1887. In this 
paper the absence of generic identity between the Mesozoic and Tertiary 
corals that had been referred to Scffastrea is recognized, but curiously 
enough the author proceeds to separate from Septastrea the Tertiary 
species, including 5". forbest E. and H., on which the genus had been 
founded, leaving the Mesozoic species that had been erroneously' referred 
to it to stand as types of Septasfrea, and making S. forbest E. and H. the 
type of a new genus, Glyphastrca. 
Dr. Hinde claims, and apparently with much propriety, \.\\^\. Scptastrea 
must stand as originally defined; and must embrace at least its type spe- 
<;ies 5". forbest E. and H., and all forms congeneric with this species. 
Glyphastrea of Duncan, which is founded upon S. forbest E. and H. as its 
typical species, must therefore be regarded as simply a synonym of 
Septastrea d'Orbigny. 
The last part of Dr. Hinde's paper is devoted to an exhaustive discus- 
sion of the structure and characters of the species properly belonging to 
the genus Septastrea. The structure is studied in its minutest detail, and 
much light is thrown on the mode of growth, not only of the species in 
hand, but of corals in general. 
The paper is illustrated by a plate embracing seventeen figures. 
JVote on the spicules described by Billings in connection zvith the structure 
of Archteocyatkus minganensis. By George J. Hinde, Ph. D., F. G. S. 
(Geol. Mag., Dec. Ill, vol. V.) The genus Archceocyathus has been some- 
thing of a puzzle to palaeontologists ever since its characteristics were 
made known by the researches of Billings in 1861. In the " Palteozoic 
Fossils of "Canada," first on page 3, and afterwards on pages 354-357, 
Billings discusses more or less fully the relationships of this peculiar 
genus, and is disposed to regard it as a sponge with certain characteris- 
tics allying it to the corals. The view that it is a sponge is strengthened 
by the fact that spicules of peculiar character have been found either in 
the walls of the fossil or in the rock adjacent to it. Two kinds of spicules 
were found, one elongate, fusiform, the other branching. 
The researches of Hinde show that the elongate spicules are only ac- 
cidentally associated with Archceocyathus and consequently have no sig- 
nificance in determining the relationships of the genus;. 
On the other hand its branching "spicules" described by Billings are 
not regarded by Hinde as exhibiting the characters of sponge spicules 
at all, but would rather seem to be irregularly broken fragments of the 
outer wall or ///ec« of the fossil. The spongide affinities of Archceocy- 
athus, if it has any, must rest upon some other basis than the presence 
of spongelike spicules in its walls. 
On the chert and siliceous schists of the Per mo-Carboniferous strata of 
Spitzbergen., and on the characters of the sponges therefrom., ivhich have 
been described by Dr. E. von Dunikovjski. By George J. Hinde, Ph. 
D., F. G. S. (Geological magazine, Decade iii, vol. v.) This paper 
is of especial interest in connection with the paper of the same 
