The specimens described in our former paper as 
Spirocyathus major and S. speciosus are probably the 
apical portions of Pycnoidocyathus Maximipora, and 
P. simplex, respectively. 
Genus METAFUNGIA (Bedford). 
Plate XIX., Fig. 81. 
In Part L, page 5, plate IV., Fig. 23 we described this 
species and, on account of the absence of centra] cavity 
in the base and the presence of dissepimental tissue, 
included it with such forms as Metaldetes in a new 
family, Metacyathidae. It now appears preferable to 
relate it to the Spirocyathidae on account of the 
synapticulae and the nature of the septa. We have given 
reasons for relating such synapticulate forms as 
Pycnoidocyathus to the Spirocyathidae, and the proposed 
alteration brings all synapticulate forms from the Ajax 
together in one order. The genus may be re-defined as 
Archaeos having definite though irregular and highly 
porous septa and numerous regularly arrayed synapti- 
culae; in the base the central cavity is absent, its place 
being taken by trabecular and dissepimental tissue; the 
outer surface is wavy but is not thrown into prominent 
flanges. Fig. 81 shows first a natural size longitudinal 
view of the fossil, next an enlarged radial longitudinal 
section in which a is the outer wall, b a trabecular zone 
within the outer wall, c septum and synapticulae, d 
thickened septum near the inner wall, e inner wall. A 
tangential section of the inner wall is also shown, For 
further details see Part I. 
Metafungia reticulata (Bedford). 
New Family SIGMOFUNGIDAE. Plate XIX., Fig. 82. 
۱ New Genus ۸۰ 
Archaeos having clearly defined radial septa which 
may be more or less irregular, with numerous synapti- 
culae; the inner wall pores are in vertical rows, each 
pore being separated from those above and below it by 
a sigmoidally curved plate Sigmofungia is at present 
the only genus in the family, and S. Flindersi the only 
species. It is placed in the order Spirocyathina princi- 
pally because of the numerous synapticulae, and in other 
respects, except for the sigmoidal pores, it does not differ 
materially from typical members of the order. 
Sigmoifungia Flindersi, N.Sp. Plate XIX., Fig. 82. 
Cylindrical, intervallum co-efficient 8 mm.: 25 mm.: 
outer wall a finely porous layer supported by a trabecular 
mesh; septa numerous, somewhat wavy and irregular 
with numerous rather fine pores, synapticulae numerous; 
inner wall has numerous pores, closely set, two to 1 mm., 
very regularly arranged in vertical rows; each pore is 
separated from those above and below it by a sigmoidally 
curved plate directed upwards and inwards into the 
centra] cavity. The central cavity of the lower part is 
invaded by a remarkable trabecular tissue which is 
16 
orientated in relation to the porous structure of the inner 
wall (Fig. 82, A and F, the arrow in the latter shows 
centre line of the section). 
Family SYRINGOCNEMIDAE (Taylor). 
The family has at present only one genus and species 
Syringocnema favus (Taylor). 
Plate XVIL, Fig. 74. 
We have a considerable amount of fresh material to 
supplement Taylor's description of this very interesting 
form. The outer wall is often obscured with silica, so 
that the outer ends of the radial tubular elements are 
frequently covered by an impervious convex cap, but 
in favorable specimens it can be seen that tubercles grow 
inwards towards the lumen of each tube and by 
anastomosing form an external series of sieve plates; see 
Fig. 74 C.' The radial tubes in the intervallum are not 
entirely horizontal, as described by Taylor, but are seen 
in radial longitudinal section to curve and dip sharply 
downwards towards the central cavity; see Fig. 74 E. 
In transverse section (Fig 74 B) the vesicular appear- 
ance near the inner wall is due to several tubes being 
cut across in their sharply-dipping inner parts; the tubes 
retain their individuality and do not “unite to form a 
narrow vesicular zone," as Taylor describes them. An 
internal view of the inner wall is seen in Fig. 74 D; the 
section is slightly oblique so that at the top are seen 
processes projecting into the central cavity, next the 
rectangular inner ends of the tubes, then the pores, and 
at the lower part of the figure the tubes again, just 
outside the inner wall. Successive tangential longi- 
tudinal sections cutting across a single tubular element 
are seen in Fig 74 F; 1 shows the processes within the 
central cavity, 2 the inner end of the tube, 3 the inner 
wall pores, 4 the tube assuming a hexagonal shape and 
enlarging in width in 5 and 6 as it passes horizontally 
outwards, and 7 the outer wall. By comparing this 
series with the radial longitudinal section (Fig. 74 E) 
the construction is clearly seen. Fig. 74 A shows a 
reconstruction, natural size. Fig. 74 G shows a spitz 
in longitudinal section; the base is seen to consist of 
Dictyocyathus-like tissue which quickly develops a cen- 
tral cavity and curved radial elements; at first the 
trabecular tissue encroaches on the central cavity. The 
inner wall is at first less complex than thatof the mature 
specimen, and is a simple porous structure resembling 
that of Dictyocyathus. Taylor, in his original descrip- 
tion, pointed out that Syringocnema has some features 
of resemblance to Pycnoidocyathus ptychophragma; he 
placed the latter in the family Archaeocyathidae. We 
have placed the latter in the genus Spirocyathus; and 
Syringocnema also in the new order Spirocyathina. 
Syringocnema favus (Taylor). 
New Order METACY ATHINA. 
We have previously referred to the spitzes or early 
stages of the orders Archaeocyathina and Sprocyathina. 
The spitz in the latter order is in nearly all cases a 
