72

CONTRIBUTIONS TO A HISTORY OF THE MESOZOIC CORALS OP THE

COUNTY OF YORK.

BY ROBERT F. TOMES, F.G.S.

A g r e a t m a n y Ooli t ic cora ls from t h e count ies of Oxford, Gloucester , W i l t s , Somerse t , Dorset , Nor thampton , a n d Cambr idge , h a v e of l a t e y e a r s been e x a m i n e d , a n d a cons iderab le numbe r of new species a n d some n e w g e n e r a from those count ies m a d e k n o w n . B u t w h i l e a n a b u n d a n c e of m a t e r i a l h a s been obta ined , i t h a s been a m a t t e r of some su rpr i s e t h a t a n e x t r e m e l y sma l l n u m b e r of spec imens from t h e Y o r k s h i r e a n d L i n c o l n s h i r e Ool i tes h a v e come u n d e r not ice . A l m o s t e q u a l l y m e a g r e a r e t h e records of m a d r e p o r a r i a from the J u r a s s i c format ions of those count ies , a n d i t i s t h e purpose of t h e p re sen t commun ica t ion to b r i n g toge the r such not ices of Y o r k s h i r e species a s h a v e a l r e a d y appea r ed i n p r in t , a n d to a d d some others w h i c h h a v e no t h i t h e r t o been m a d e k n o w n . I propose a l so to e n u m e r a t e t h e L i a s s i c species , a n d t h e few Cre taceous ones w h i c h h a v e been found in t h e Spee ton C l a y .

I n t h e I l l u s t r a t i o n s of t h e Geology of Y o r k s h i r e , b y Professor P h i l l i p s , t e n supposed Ool i t ic cora l s a r e ment ioned , b u t t h e y a r e not suff ic iently defined for s a t i s f ac to ry reference . M M . M i l n e E d w a r d s a n d H a i m e , i n t h e i r H i s t o r y of B r i t i s h Foss i l Cora l s , have , indeed , re fe r red t h e m to c e r t a i n recognised species , a s I sha l l now show, b u t i t i s most de s i r ab l e t h a t a n a c t u a l compar i son shou ld be m a d e b e t w e e n Y o r k s h i r e spec imens a n d undoub t ed e x a m p l e s of t h e species to w h i c h t h e y h a v e been re fe r red b y those ce l eb ra t ed zoophytologis ts .

T h e fo l lowing i s t h e l i s t of Ool i t ic cora ls g i v en b y Professor P h i l l i p s , a s rev i sed b y M M . M i l n e E d w a r d s a n d H a i m e :—

STYLINA TUBULIFERA.

Astrma tubulifera Ph i l l . 111., Vo l . I . , p . 126, p i . i i i . , fig. 6. 1829 . Cora l R a g , M a l t o n .

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TOMES : MESOZOIC COEALS OF THE COUNTY OF YOEK. 7 3

M o N T L I V A L T I A DISPAE.

Turbinolia dispar P h i l l . 111., Vo l . I . , p . 126 , p i . iv . 1829 .

Cora l R a g , M a l t o n .

THECOSMILIA ANNULABIS.

Caryophyllia cylindrica P h i l l . 111., V o l . I . , p . 126 , pi . i i i . ,

fig. 5 . 1829 . Cora l R a g , M a l t o n .

RHABDOPHYLLIA PHILLIPSI .

Caryophyllia P h i l l . I l l , V o l . I . , p . 126 . 1 8 2 9 . C o r a l R a g , M a l t o n .

CLADOPHYLLIA CONYBEABI.

Cora l l i k e Caryophyllia cespitosa Ph i l l . 111., V o l I . , p . 126 .

1829 .

ISASTB^EA EXPLANATA.

Astrcea favosioides P h i l l . 111., Vo l . I . , p . 126 , pi . i i i . , fig, 7. 1829 . Cora l R a g , M a l t o n .

THAMNASTE^A ABACHNOIDES.

Astrcea arachnoides P h i l l . 111., V o l . I . , p . 126 . 1 8 2 9 . Cora l R a g , M a l t o n .

THAMNASTB^EA CONCINNA.

Astrcea micraston P h i l l . 111., Vo l . I . , p . 126 . 1829 . Cora l R a g , M a l t o n .

Of Thamnastrcea arachnoides I w o u l d observe t h a t a s t w o spec ies h a v e c e r t a i n l y been confounded u n d e r t h a t name , t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n of t h e Y o r k s h i r e spec imens i s b y no m e a n s s a t i s ­f ac tory .

T h e fo l lowing a r e a l so g i v en b y Professor P h i l l i p s a s occur­r i n g i n t h e Y o r k s h i r e Ool i te , b u t t h e y h a v e no t a t p r e s en t been r e f e r r ed to a n y a c k n o w l e d g e d s p e c i e s : —

Astraza inequalis occurs a ccord ing to P h i l l i p s a t M a l t o n . E d w a r d s a n d H a i m e m a k e no r e m a r k s on t h i s spec ies .

Astrma w i t h " e a l i e e s c i r c u m s c r i b e d " i s a l so g i v e n b y P h i l l i p s a s a M a l t o n cora l .

Caryophyllia convexa i s s t a t e d b y t h e s a m e a u t h o r i t y to h a v e been found i n t h e In f e r i o r Ool i te a t Co ld Moor . I t w a s sup ­posed b y E d w a r d s a n d H a i m e to be a Montlivaltia.

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74 TOMBS : MESOZOIC CORALS OP THE COUNTY OP YORK.

Professor Ph i l l i p s a l so f igured w i thou t a n y descr ip t ion a cora l from t h e Spee ton C l ay , to w h i c h he g a v e t h e n a m e of Caryophyllia conulus.

I n 1 8 4 8 * M c C o y desc r ibed a cora l i n t h e col lect ion of t h e U n i v e r s i t y of C a m b r i d g e b y the n a m e of Dentipora glomerata, from t h e Cora l l i ne Ool i te of M a l t o n , w h e r e i t w a s s a id to be common.

Professor Duncan , i n t h e S u p p l e m e n t to t h e H i s t o r y of B r i t i s h Foss i l C o r a l s , ! a d d e d two species to t h e Ool i t ic cora l f a u n a of Y o r k s h i r e from spec imens w h i c h w e r e i n t h e col lect ion of M r s . L e c k e n b y , of Sca rborough , to w h i c h he g a v e t h e n a m e of Gonioseris angulata a n d G. Leckenbyi, bo th of w h i c h h a d been ob ta ined from t h e Mi l l epo re bed of t h e In fe r io r Ooli te a t C l a u g h t o n W y k e .

T h e R e v . J . F . B l a k e , a t p a g e 447 of the " Y o r k s h i r e L i a s , " men t ions four species of cora ls , to w h i c h I sha l l refer .

A n add i t i on w a s m a d e b y me in 1888 , w h e n I desc r ibed a n d figured a species u n d e r t h e n a m e of Latimceandraria decorata,\ w h i c h I h a d rece ived from M r . B e a n , of Sca rborough .

I n t h e c a t a l o g u e of t y p e spec imens i n t h e W o o d w a r d i a n M u s e u m , Cambr idge , d a t e d 1 8 9 1 , Stylitia tubulifera, f rom t h e Cora l R a g of M a l t o n , i s ment ioned a s t h e t y p e of Dentipora glomerata of McCoy , so n a m e d in 1848 .

F i n a l l y , t h e p resen t wr i t e r , i n a r e cen t commun ica t ion to the Geological Magaz ine , § i n d i c a t e d the presence of t h r e e spec ies of cora l s in the Spee ton C l a y .

H a v i n g now g iven a n ou t l ine of t h e l i t e r a t u r e r e l a t i n g to t h e Y o r k s h i r e Mesozoic M a d r e p o r a r i a , I w i l l proceed to a c r i t i c a l cons idera t ion of such species a s I h a v e h a d t h e oppor tun i t y of

*Atm. and Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 2, Vol. II., p. 399. 1848. tSup. Brit. Fos. Cor., pt. iii., p. 21, pi. vii., figs. 1-11. 1872. t Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, Vol. XXXIX., p. 562, pi. xxii., figs. 7, 8,

9,10, and 15. 1883. § Decade IV., Vol. VI., p. 302. 1899.

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e x a m i n i n g , commenc ing w i t h t h e L i a s s i c species , a n d proceed ing u p w a r d s to those of t h e l a t e r fo rmat ions .

I , — L I A S S I C SPECIES.

H E T E E A S T B ^ A EXCAVATA F r o m e n t e l sp.

Septastrcea excavata E . de From. , i n M a r t i n I n f r a L i a s ,

C6 te d'Or, 1860 .

Septastrwa excavata B l a k e . Y o r k s h i r e L i a s , p . 447 , 1 8 7 6 .

The g e n u s Septastrwa of D ' O r b i g n y h a v i n g unde rgone a v e r y s e a r c h i n g e x a m i n a t i o n b y Dr . H i n d e , * c an no longer b e a d m i t t e d a s a B r i t i s h or e v e n a E u r o p e a n g e n u s . I t i s a n A m e r i c a n form, a n d confined to t h e T e r t i a r y format ion . I n t h e Geological M a g a z i n e of M a y , 1888 , f t h e p re sen t w r i t e r showed t h a t a l l t h e B r i t i s h spec ies of Septastrwa possessed c h a r a c t e r s w h i c h w e r e w h o l l y incons i s t en t w i t h those of t h a t g enus , a n d c r e a t e d for t h e i r r ecep t ion a n e w genus , w h i c h w a s d e s i g n a t e d Hetei astrcea. T h e nece s s i t y for such a g e n u s w a s obvious , a n d h a s been con­firmed b y t h e d i scovery of a cons ide rab l e n u m b e r of n e w species .

MONTLIVALTIA POLYMOEPHA Te rque r e t P i e t t e .

Montlivaltia polymorpha Terq . e t P i e t t e . L i a s Inf. d e FEste de l a F r a n c e . PL X V L , F i g s . 17 -21 . 1865 .

A s a Y o r k s h i r e spec ies t h e p re sen t a p p e a r s to be ra re , on l y e i g h t e x a m p l e s be ing recorded b y t h e R e v . J . F . B l a k e i n 1876 . J I t w a s i n c l uded b y t h e l a t e Professor D u n c a n i n t h e l i s t of m a d r e p o r a r i a from t h e S o u t h W a l e s cong lomera tes , bu t , a s I h a v e e l s e w h e r e shown,§ t h e spec imens from t h a t l o ca l i t y w e r e r e a l l y n o t h i n g more t h a n f r a g m e n t s of a species of Thecosmilia.

U p to t h e p re s en t t i m e I be l i eve Montlivaltia polymorpha, a s a B r i t i s h species , i s confined to Y o r k s h i r e , f rom w h i c h l oca l i t y I h a v e e x a m i n e d spec imens .

* Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, Vol. XLIV., p. 200, 1888. t Decade III., Vol. V., p. 215. 18S8.

% Yorkshire Lias, page 447. 1876. § Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, Vol. XL., p. 365. 1884.

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76 TOMES : MESOZOIC CORALS OF THE COUNTY OF YORK.

MONTLIVALTIA GUETTARDI B l a i n v .

Montlivaltia guettardi B l a i n v . Die t , des Sc i . Na t . , T . L.X., p . 302 . 1830 .

Montlivaltia guettardi Chap , e t Dewa l . M e m . Cour . A c a d . B e i g e , T . X X V . , p. 264, pi . 33 , fig. 6. 1854 .

Cons ide rab le doubt ex i s t s r e spec t ing t h i s a s a Y o r k s h i r e , a n d indeed a s a B r i t i s h species . Spec imens w h i c h w e r e i n t h e col­l ec t ion of Professor Ta t e , a n d sa id to h a v e been col lected a t R e d c a r , wh i ch , w i t h Montlivaltia haimei, c ame in to t h e h a n d s of t h e p re s en t w r i t e r , prove on e x a m i n a t i o n to be i den t i c a l w i t h Montlivaltia mucronata. T h e y h a v e so m u c h t h e colour a n d gene r a l a spec t of W a r w i c k s h i r e spec imens of t h e l a t t e r species a s to sugges t t h a t some m i s t a k e h a s been m a d e a s to loca l i t y . If, however , t h e y a r e r e a l l y Y o r k s h i r e example s , i t i s more t h a n p robab le t h a t Montlivaltia guettardi i s not found i n t h a t county . The e x a m i n a t i o n of u n d o u b t e d Y o r k s h i r e spec imens i s most des i r ­ab l e .

MONTLIVALTIA HAIMEI Chap , e t Dewa l .

Montlivaltia haimei Chap iu s e t Dewa lque . M e m . Cour . p a r 1'Acad. Be l g ique , T. X X V . , p . 262 , pi. 38 , fig. 5. 1854 .

A g r e a t m a n y spec imens of t h i s common a n d w e l l - m a r k e d spec ies h a v e been t a k e n from t h e L o w e r L i a s of Y o r k s h i r e , a n d m a y be seen i n t h e Y o r k a n d o ther museums , a s we l l a s i n p r i v a t e col lect ions . A cons iderab le n u m b e r from R e d c a r , w h i c h w e r e i n the col lect ion of Professor Ta t e , a r e now before me , a l l of w h i c h h a v e t h e r e g u l a r a n d numerous den t i cu l a t i ons on t h e sep ta l edge w h i c h cha r a c t e r i s e t y p i c a l e x amp l e s .

I I . — O O L I T I C SPECIES.

Genus GONIOSERIS D u n c a n .

T h e co ra l l um i s s imple , dome shaped or p y r a m i d a l , a n d h a s s i x v e r y p rominen t ang l e s e x t e n d i n g from t h e a p e x to t h e base , a n d formed b y a g r e a t deve lopment of t h e p r i m a r y septa .

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TOMES : MES0Z0IC CORALS OP THE COUNTY OP YORK. 77

T h e b a s a l w a l l i s n e a r l y hor izonta l , s t a r shaped , a n d h a s s i x p o i n t s , w h i c h a r e t h e l owe r t e r m i n a t i o n s of t h e p r o m i n e n t a n g l e s . I t i s n a k e d a n d cos tu l a t ed , a n d t h e costse a r e con t inuous w i t h t h e l a t e r c y c l e s of septa., b u t not w i t h t h e p r i m a r y ones . T h e r e a r e d i s s ep imen t s connec t ing t h e costse.

T h e r e i s a sma l l ap i c a l fossula . The m a r g i n s of t h e s ep t a a r e en t i r e , a n d t h e i r s ides a r e smooth. T h e r e i s no s y n a p t i c u l a r g r o w t h of a n y k i n d .

I n t h e course of t h e i nve s t i g a t i on s w h i c h h a v e l ed to t h e a b o v e def in i t ion of t h e g e n u s , cons ide rab l e doub t a rose a s to w h e t h e r t h e who l e of t h e uppe r sur face i s c a l i cu l a r , or w h e t h e r t h a t p a r t i s confined to t h e a p i c a l fossula . I conc lude , however , t h a t Professor D u n c a n v e r y r i g h t l y r e g a r d e d t h e who le of t h e uppe r p a r t of t h e co r a l l um a s ca l i cu l a r , a n d for t h e fo l lowing r e a s o n : — T h e p r o m i n e n t a n g l e s h a v e b e t w e e n t h e m w h a t m u s t be t a k e n a s t r u e septa , because i n r e l a t i v e h e i g h t t h e y correspond w i t h t h e n o r m a l deve lopment of t h e cyc l e s i n c e r t a i n of t h e AsirmidcB. Some t imes Montlivaltia, lens i s so m u c h e l e v a t e d a s t o b e a lmos t dome shaped , a n d t h e cyc l e s v e r y c lose ly r e s emb le t h e cyc l e s i n Gonioseris. I a m e n t i r e l y , therefore , i n a ccordance w i t h t h e o r i g ina l desc r ibe r i n be l i ev ing t h a t t h e who le of t h e upper sur face of t h e co r a l l um i n Gonioseris i s c a l i cu l a r , t h o u g h I differ w i d e l y from h i m a s r e g a r d s t h e affinit ies of t h e g e n u s .

I t i s i n t h e c o m p a r a t i v e l a t e r a l p rominence of t h e cyc l e s t h a t t h e form p re s en t s such a n a n o m a l y , t h e s e p t a of t h e second cyc l e b e i n g i n t h e r e ced ing a n g l e s h a v e m u c h l e s s p rominence t h a n those of t h e t h i r d a n d four th . Gonioseris i s c e r t a i n l y a g e n u s of t h e Astro-Ida:

GONIOSERIS LECKENBYI Dune .

Gonioseris Leckenbyi Dune . S u p . B r i t . Fos . Cor. , p t . i i i , p . 22 , pi . v i i . , figs. 6-9. 1872 .

Of t h e t w o spec ies of Gonioseris desc r ibed b y Prof. D u n c a n t h e p r e s en t i s m u c h t h e more t y p i c a l , a n d a s o m e w h a t d e t a i l e d de sc r ip t ion of i t i s de s i r ab l e . T h e r e a r e some specific pecu l i a r i t i e s w h i c h e scaped t h e no t i c e of t h e o r i g i n a l desc r iber , n a m e l y , t h e

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v e r y d i s t i nc t ap i ca l fossula , t h e wel l -def ined cyc les of septa , a n d the suber i s t i form super ior t e r m i n a t i o n of t h e p r i m a r y septa , a s w rcll a s t h e pe r fec t l y smooth s ides a n d m a r g i n of a l l t h e septa .

T h e sep ta l fossula r equ i r e s espec ia l not ice , a n d d i s t i n c t def ini t ion. I t i s a s fol lows:-—The sep ta forming the first c y c l e e x t e n d to t h e a p e x of t h e co ra l l um a n d h a v e g r e a t p rominence o u t w a r d l y a s we l l a s super ior l y . Those of t h e second cyc l e h a v e no o u t w a r d prominence , be ing i n t h e r eced ing ang l e , b u t t h e y a lso e x t e n d t h e who le h e i g h t of t h e co ra l l um. The t h i r d cyc l e cons is ts of s ep t a w h i c h a r e three- four ths t h e h e i g h t of t h e p r i m a r y ones, a n d t h e s ep ta of t h e four th cyc l e a r e a l i t t l e shor te r t h a n those of n u m b e r th ree . T h e r e a r e s ep t a of a fifth cyc le , w h i c h e x t e n d for a v e r y shor t d i s t ance u p t h e s ide of t h e co ra l l um.

GONIOSERIS ANGULATA Duncan .

Gonioseris angulata Dune . Supp . B r i t . Fos . Cor. , p t . i i i . , p. 22 , pi . v i i . , figs. 1-5. 1872 .

A f t e r so ful l a n account of t h e cha r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e g e n u s Gonioseris, a s we l l a s of t h e p reced ing species , I need on ly s a y of t h e p re sen t one t h a t i t h a s a much less e l eva t ed form, a n d t h a t a l l i t s d e t a i l s a r e much less s t rong l y m a d e out t h a n i n Gonioseris Leckenbyi, more e spec i a l l y i n t h e sha l lowness of t h e ap i c a l fossula, a n d i n t h e w a n t of p rominence of t h e upper a n d i n n e r ends of t h e p r i m a r y sep ta w h i c h form i t .

N u m e r i c a l l y i t i s m u c h r a r e r t h a n t h e preced ing , one o n l y h a v i n g been rece ived b y t h e p r e s en t w r i t e r to four teen of Gonioseris Leckenbyi, B o t h species , I a m informed, occur t o g e t h e r i n t h e Mi l l epo re bed of t h e Infe r io r Ool i te a t C l a u g h t o n W y k e .

Genus DIMORPHOSMILIA gen . nov.

T h e cora l l um i s c i r cu l a r , depressed, w i t h t h e uppe r sur face convex , a n d t h e lower fiat or concave . The r e i s a ba s a l w a l l a n d ep i theca showing a c en t r a l po in t of former a t t a c h m e n t . T h e who l e of t h e upper sur face i s ca l i cu l a r , a n d t h e r e i s a c e n t r a l ca l i ce su r rounded b y o thers w h i c h a r e i n l ines i n broad , open v a l l e y s r a d i a t i n g from t h e p a r e n t ca l ice . T h e l i ne s of ca l i ees

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a r e d i v i d ed b y m u c h deve loped a n d p rominen t r idges , formed b y the un ion of costa l p ro longa t ions from t h e septa , a n d t h e l a t t e r a r e connec t ed b y s ep t a l costse.

The s ides of t h e s ep ta h a v e v e r t i c a l r idges , e n d i n g in dent i -cu l a t i ons on t h e sep ta l edge . I n c r e a s e t a k e s p l a ce b y g emmat ion .

T h e g e n u s i s one of the Astrwidce, a n d of t h e Astrwinm, a n d h a s some aff inity w i t h w i t h Dimorphastrwa, b u t differs from i t m a t e r i a l l y b y h a v i n g the ca l i ces a r r a n g e d i n r a d i a t i n g l ines , s e p a r a t e d b y s t r o n g l y - m a r k e d cr i s t i form r i dge s a r o u n d t h e p a r e n t ca l i ce i n s t e a d of in c i rc les .

DIMORPHOSMILIA EBORACENSIS sp. nov. P I . x x . , figs. 1 , 2, 3, 4.

The co r a l l um i s subc i r cu l a r or ovoid, a n d t h e ou te r m a r g i n i s somewha t lobu l a r . T h e c a l i cu l a r sur face v a r i e s cons ide r ab l y i n i t s deg ree of convex i t y , a n d t h e ou te r m a r g i n i s t h i c k or t h i n accord ing to t h e e l ev a t i on of t h e co ra l l um.

T h e ba s a l w a l l i s somet imes n e a r l y flat, b u t more f r equen t l y h a s a c en t r a l c i r cu l a r depress ion w i t h a po in t i n d i c a t i n g former a t t a c h m e n t . I t i s c lo thed w i t h a t h i c k ep i theca , w h i c h i s con­c e n t r i c a l l y w r i n k l e d , b e t w e e n t h e r i n g s of w h i c h t h e r e a r e some­t imes costse, w h i c h a r e s t r a i g h t a n d un i fo rm in s ize.

T h e v a l l e y s a r e w i d e a n d open, b u t t h e r i dge s b e t w e e n t h e m a r e p rominen t , sub-acute , a n d t h e costse of w h i c h t h e y a r e com­posed meet , b l end , a n d form w h a t h a s t h e a p p e a r a n c e of a w a l l , b u t i n w h i c h no t r u e w a l l h a s been de t e rm ined . The r e a r e u s u a l l y five or s i x of t he s e r i dge s i n a sma l l spec imen, i n c r e a s i ng i n n u m b e r u p to e i g h t or n ine i n a l a r g e one.

T h e ca l i ces a r e few i n number , b u t t h e r e i s often more t h a n one row in a va l l e y , more e spec i a l l y i n spec imens of i n t e r m e d i a t e s ize. W h e n of g r e a t e r d imens ions t h e rows of ca l i ces a r e n e a r l y a l w a y s s ing l e . T h e y a r e open a n d superf ic ia l , b u t t h e fossula sma l l a n d w e l l defined.

The r e a r e four cyc l e s of septa , a n d a few shor t ones of a fifth. The p r i m a r y s e p t a n e a r l y m e e t i n t h e c en t r e of t h e v i s ce r a l c a v i t y , w h e r e t h e y a r e somet imes a l i t t l e cu rved . T h e s econda ry ones a r e a l i t t l e shor te r t h a n t h e p r ima r i e s , a n d those

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of t h e t h i r d c yc l e a r e two- th i rd s t h e l e n g t h of t h e first cyc le , a n d of t h e fourth cyc l e one- th i rd t h e l e n g t h of t h e first. A l l t h e s ep ta a r e of n e a r l y un i form a n d m e d i u m th i cknes s , a n d w h e n u n w o r n h a v e p r o m i n e n t den t i cu l a t i on s on the i r edge .

in. line. D i a m e t e r of t h e figured s p e c i m e n . . . . . . 1 6 H e i g h t of t h e s a m e . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 7 B r e a d t h of t h e w i d e s t v a l l e y . . . . . . 0 6

N u m b e r of rows of ca l ices , 9.

H A B . — T h e Mi l l epo re bed of t h e Infe r io r Oolite, C l a u g h t o n W y k e , Y o r k s h i r e .

W i t h spec imens of Gonioseris a n d Dimorphosmilia from t h e Mi l l epo r e of t h e Infe r io r Ool i te a t C l a u g h t o n W y k e , I h a v e r ece ived a s ing l e spec imen of a cora l , wh i ch , t hough too i l l p rese rved for specific de t e rm ina t i on , h a s cha r a c t e r s wh i ch a r e de se rv ing of p a r t i c u l a r not ice , a s t h e y c e r t a i n l y i n d i c a t e specific, if not gener i c , differences from a n y of the J u r a s s i c cora l s a t presen t k n o w n i n Y o r k s h i r e .

I t i s smal l , t u b e r shaped, a n d t h e whole of i t s surface , w 7 ith t h e except ion of a sma l l a r e a of a t t a c h m e n t , i s m a d e u p b y a few l a r g e sha l low ca l i ces , w h i c h a r e u n i t e d b y costa l p ro longa t ions of t h e septa . The edges of t h e sep ta a r e den t i cu l a t ed .

THECOSMILIA ANNULARIS F l e m i n g sp.

Caryophyllia annularis F l e m i n g , B r i t . A m m . p . 5 0 9 . 1828 .

Thecosmilia annularis E d w . a n d H a i m e , P o l y p . Ter r .

Polseoz., p . 77 . 1 8 5 1 .

T h e M a l t o n spec imens of t h i s we l l - known a n d common species need no fu r the r r e m a r k t h a n to s a y t h a t t h e y do not differ i n a n y w a y from those found i n o the r loca l i t i e s i n E n g l a n d .

THECOSMILIA COSTATA F romente l .

Thecosmilia costata E. de From. In t ro . E t u d . P o l y p . Foss . , p . 143 . 1 8 5 8 - 1 8 6 1 . P o l y p . Cor. Env i ron , de Gray , p . 15, pi . 6, fig. 1. 1864 .

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One spec imen on l y of t h i s cora l h a s been e x a m i n e d , a n d i t a g r e e s v e r y c lose ly w i t h t h e descr ip t ion a n d figure g i ven b y Dr . de F romen te l . The b r a n c h e s a r e smal l , sub-cy l indr i ca l , a n d t h e ramif i ca t ions a r e s t r i c t l y d ichotomous . T h e ep i theca i s t h i n a n d pe l l i cu l a r , a n d t h e costse a r e th in , r a t h e r p rominent , a n d d i s t an t , t h e spaces b e t w e e n them be ing n e a r l y t h r e e t imes t h e b r e a d t h of the cor respond ing spaces in Thecosmilia annularis. B u t t h e b r e a d t h of t h e i n t e r v a l s i s t h e r e su l t of an a lmos t r u d i m e n t a r y cond i t ion of t h e a l t e r n a t e eostae, wh i ch , indeed , a r e somet imes s ca rce l y observab le .

The ca l i ces a r e not we l l preserved , a n d the cyc l e s of sep ta a r e difficult to t r ace , b u t t h e r e a r e c e r t a i n l y four cyc les , w h i c h n u m b e r corresponds v e r y n e a r l y w i t h t h e fo rmu la g i v en b y the o r i g ina l desc r iber of t h e species .

I S A S T R i E A EXPLANATA G o l d f u S S S p .

Astrcea explanata Goldf., Pe t r i f . Germ. , V . I . , p . 112 , t a b . x x x v i i i . , fig. 14. 1829 .

Isastrcea explanata Edw . a n d H a i m e , B r i t . Fos. Cor., p . 94, p i . xv i i . , fig. 1. 1 8 5 1 .

I h a v e seen and e x a m i n e d some e a s t s of a n Isastrma from t h e Cora l R a g of M a l t o n , w h i c h I do not he s i t a t e to refer to t h i s spec ies .

LATIM.KANDRAR/EA DECORATA B e a n sp.

Meandrina decorata B e a n M S .

Latimmandrarma decorata Tomes, Quar t . J o u n . Geol. S o c , Y o l . X X X I X . , p . 562 , pi . xx i i . , figs. 7, 8, 9, 10. 1888 .

T w o spec imens of t h i s we l l -marked species w h i c h w e r e g i v en t o m e b y M r . B e a n , of Sca rborough , l abe l l ed " Meandrina decorata Bean , Cora l l ine Oolite, M a l t o n , " w e r e descr ibed a n d f igured b y m e i n t h e t h i r t y - n i n t h vo lume of t h e Q u a r t e r l y J o u r n a l of t h e Geological Soc ie ty . Spec imens of t h i s species from t h e Cora l l i ne Ooli te of M a l t o n a n d L a n g t o n W o l d a r e i n t h e Y o r k M u s e u m , wh ich , h a v i n g been submi t t ed to t h e au thor , i n d i c a t e g r e a t v a r i a t i o n i n t h e g e n e r a l form, w h i l e t h e y show g r e a t un i fo rm i t y of s t r u c tu r e .

G

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82 TOMES : MESOZOIC CORALS OP THE COUNTY OF YORK.

PROTOSERIS W A L T O N I E d w a r d s a n d H a i m e .

Protoseris Waltoni Edw, a n d H a i m e , B r i t , Fos . Cor., p. 103 ,

pi . x x . , fig. 1. 1 8 5 1 .

Protoseris, a s a genus , w a s first cha r ac t e r i s ed b y M M . M i l n e

E d w a r d s and H a i m e in 1 8 5 1 * i n t h e fo l lowing w o r d s : —

" P o l y p i e r fixe, en l ames fol iacees, lobees e t p l iees en c o r n e t ; les faces e x t e r i e u r e s nues e t p r e s en t an t s des s t r i e s costa les fines, e t les i n t e r i eu r e s des ca l i ces superficiels a cloisons f lexueuses e t confluentes qu i n e sont j a m a i s separees p a r des col l ines ou c r e t e s ; co lumel le pap i l l euse . "

A s ing le spec imen on ly from t h e Cora l l i en nea r W e y m o u t h h a d been e x a m i n e d b y t h e o r i g ina l desc r iber s a n d furn i shed t h e above pa r t i cu l a r s , b u t subsequen t l y a good m a n y more h a v e been ob t a ined from t h e same loca l i t y , some of w h i c h e x h i b i t consider­ab l e v a r i a t i o n i n gene r a l form, b u t correspond w i t h g r e a t e x a c tne s s i n some v e r y i m p o r t a n t cha r ac t e r s . A l l a r e a t t a c h e d b y a n a r r o w foot, g e n e r a l l y a me r e point , a n d a l l a r e e q u a l l y d e s t i t u t e of even a t r a ce of ep i theca on t h e ou te r wa l l , w h i c h i s v e r y d i s t i n c t l y cos tu l a ted . A l s o t h e c a l i cu l a r d e t a i l s a r e cons t an t l y a s in t h e t ype . The fo l lowing w i l l g i ve some idea of t h e v a r i a t i o n i n e x t e r n a l form of Protoseris Waltoni from spec imens t a k e n from t h e t y p e l oca l i t y :—

1 . Subcra t e r i fo rm, more or less lobate , a n d " i n v a g i n a t e d ; " g e n e r a l l y h a v i n g one s ide h i g h e r t h a n t h e other , a n d t h e point of a t t a c h m e n t a t the lower s ide .

2. I r r e g u l a r l y saucer-shaped, lobate , a n d the po int of a t t a c h ­m e n t ex -cent ra l .

3. I n the form of a th in , i r r e g u l a r disc, w i t h a v e r y t h i n a n d loba te ma rg in , s l i g h t l y cu r l ed uj>wards.

The e x a m i n a t i o n of a cons iderab le n u m b e r of spec imens l e ads to t h e conclus ion t h a t i n g ene r a l ou t l ine t h e t y p e spec imen does not correspond w i t h t h e g r e a t e r number , b u t h a s a more e l eva t ed form t h a n is usua l .

* Polyp. Foss. Palseoz., p. 129.

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T w o species of Protoseris h a v e been desc r ibed from t h e Ool i te of N a t t h e i m , i n W u r t e m b u r g , one on l y of w h i c h h a s been e x a m i n e d b y t h e p r e s en t wr i t e r , n ame l y , Protoseris foliosa Becke r . I t i s a less t y p i c a l species t h a n Protoseris Waltoni. T h r e e spec'.es h a v e a l so been desc r ibed a n d figured b y Professor K o b y i n h i s w o r k on S w i s s J u r a s s i c Co r a l s , * n a m e l y , Protoseris Gresleyi, P. plicata a n d P. Jaccardi, b u t an expres s ion of doub t a s to the g e n u s accompan i e s t h e de sc r ip t ion of t h e t w o l a s t named . They a r e a l l from t h e Cora l l i en .

T w o spec imens of Protoseris from S e t t r i n g t o n , Y o r k s h i r e ,

w h i c h h a v e been fo rwarded to me b y t h e R e v . W . L o w e r Carter, ,

p rove on e x a m i n a t i o n to be re fe rab le to P. Waltoni. PROTOSERIS sp.

A s ing le , v e r y i l l -preserved cora l f rom the Cora l l i en of M a l t o n differs from Protoseris Waltoni in h a v i n g c rowded ca l ices wh i ch a r e v e r y sma l l . I t i s not suff ic iently p rese rved for descr ipt ion , b u t i s c e r t a i n l y undesc r ibed .

I I I . — C R E T A C E O U S SPECIES

T h e sma l l t u r b i n a t e cora l s found in t h e Spee ton C l a y h a v e been so l i t t l e unders tood t h a t M r . J u d d in h i s pape r on t h a t p e c u l i a r deposi t , pub l i shed in 1868 , h a s the f o l l o w i n g : — f

UG aryophyllia conulus P h i l . — I h a v e long doubted the i d e n t i t y of t h e m i n u t e Y o r k s h i r e cora l w i t h t h e l a r g e a n d we l l -ma rked spec ies f rom t h e Gau l t , figured a n d desc r ibed b y M i l n e - E d w a r d s . M r . Da l l a s , who k i n d l y m a d e a compar i son for me, found i t imposs ib l e to come to a n y c e r t a i n conclus ion on t h e sub j ec t o w i n g to t h e imper fec t s t a t e of p r e se rva t ion of t h e t y p e spec imens . "

The o p p o r t u n i t y of compar ing some p r e t t y we l l -p r e se rved spec imens from Spee ton w i t h a cons ide rab le n u m b e r from t h e Fo lke s tone Gau l t , h a s enab l ed me to d e t e r m i n e two well-defined species , p r o b a b l y a t h i r d .

*Monogr. Polyp. Jurass. Suisse, p. 350, &c, pi. xcvi., figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. 1885.

f Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, Vol. XXIV., p. 225. 1868.

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84 TOMES : MESOZOIC CORALS OP THE COUNTY OP YORK.

TROCHOCYATHUS CONULUS P h i l l i p s sp .

Caryophyllia conulus Ph i l l . 111. Geo. Y o r k s h i r e , 2nd ed i t . ,

p i . i i . , fig. 1. 1835 .

Turbinolia conulus M i c h . I con . Zooph., p i . i . , fig. 12 a (no t

12b on t h e s ame p l a t e ) . 1840 -1847 , Trochocyathus conulus E d w . a n d H a i m e . B r i t . Fos . Cor. ,

p . 63 , pi . i i , fig. 6. 1850 . Th i s spec ies occurs i n t h e Spee ton C l a y , Y o r k s h i r e , a n d i n

the Gau l t a t Fo lks tone . A n e longa t ed v a r i e t y i s a lso found a t both loca l i t i e s , w h i c h w a s descr ibed a n d figured b y Professor D u n c a n a s Smilotrochus cylindricus.

TROCHOCYATHUS? CALCARATUS Tomes .

Smilotrochus calcaratus Tomes . Geol. M a g . , 1815 , p . 543 .

A we l l -preserved spec imen of t h i s species , ob ta ined f rom t h e

Spee ton C l ay , i s i n t h e h a n d s of t h e p re sen t wr i t e r , a n d h a s been

compared w i t h o thers from t h e Fo lkes tone Gau l t . I t i s a p e c u l i a r

species , t h e g e n u i n e pos i t ion of w h i c h i s b y no m e a n s c lear ,

TROCHOCYATHUS W I L T S H I R E I D u n c a n 1

Turbinolia conidus M i c h . Icon. Zooph., p i . 1, fig. 12b (not fig. 12a ) , p . 1, 1840-1847 .

M i c h e l i n figures t w o d i s t i n c t spec ies of cora l s , p r e s u m a b l y from Speeton, one of wh i ch i s free a n d now k n o w n a s Trocho­cyathus conulus, a n d t h e o ther (f igure 12b ) a n a t t a c h e d form. Of t h e l a t t e r I c an on ly s a y t h a t i t does no t r ep re sen t T. conidus, b u t t h a t i t h a s cons ide rab le r e semb lance to T. Wiltshirei, a s I h a v e a l r e a d y s t a t e d i n a r ecen t commun ica t ion to t h e Geological M a g a z i n e . *

T h e foregoing l i s t of Y o r k s h i r e madrepora r i a , t hough a v e r y shor t one, i s r e m a r k a b l e for t h e n u m b e r of in t e re s t ing , a n d I m i g h t s a y anomalous , forms. I n the Mi l l epore bed of t h e Infe r io r Ool i te t h e r e a r e th r e e no t found e l sewhere , a n d the Coral l i en i s d i s t i ngu i shed b y t h e presence of t h e r e m a r k a b l e g e n u s Protoseris, a n d b y a species of Latimmandraria and one of Thecosmilia not

Decade IV., Vol. VI., p. 302. 1899.

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y e t m e t w i t h i n a n y other p a r t of E n g l a n d . Doubt l e s s t h e l abou r s of col lectors wou ld be r e w a r d e d b y the d i scovery of other i n t e r e s t i n g m a d r e p o r a r i a w e r e d i l i g e n t s e a r ch made .

DESCRIPTION OF P L A T E X X .

F ig . 1. Dimorphosmilia eboracensis, n a t u r a l size, seen from above . T h e d e n t i c u l a t i o n s on t h e edges of t h e sep ta h a v e been w o r n off.

F i g . 2. Dimorphosmilia eboracensis, t h e u n d e r sur face of t h e s ame species , show ing t h e ep i theca , a n d po in t of former a t t a c h m e n t .

F i g . 3. Dimorphosmilia eboracensis, t h e s ide v i ew of the s ame spec imen.

F i g . 4. Dimorphosmilia eboracensis, a s e p t u m magni f i ed showing t h e s t rong ly -deve loped den t i cu l a t i on s .

F i g . 5. Gonioseris Leckenbyi, a t a l l spec imen, n a t u r a l size, h a v i n g t h e ap i c a l fossula w e l l defined.

F i g . 6. Gonioseris Leckenbyi, a magni f i ed figure of t h e ap i c a l fossula showing the sub-cr i s t i form deve lopment of t h e upper t e r m i n a t i o n of the p r i m a r y septa .

F i g . 7. A p l a n of t h e s ep ta i n Gonioseris show ing t h e p r i m a r y s ep t a fo rming t h e s a l i en t ang l e s , a n d t h e s econdary ones i n the r eced ing ang l e s . A l i t t l e magni f ied .

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