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72 CONTRIBUTIONS TO A HISTORY OF THE MESOZOIC CORALS OP THE COUNTY OF YORK. BY ROBERT F. TOMES, F.G.S. A great many Oolitic corals from the counties of Oxford, Gloucester, Wilts, Somerset, Dorset, Northampton, and Cambridge, have of late years been examined, and a considerable number of new species and some new genera from those counties made known. But while an abundance of material has been obtained, it has been a matter of some surprise that an extremely small number of specimens from the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Oolites have come under notice. Almost equally meagre are the records of madreporaria from the Jurassic formations of those counties, and it is the purpose of the present communication to bring together such notices of Yorkshire species as have already appeared in print, and to add some others which have not hitherto been made known. I propose also to enumerate the Liassic species, and the few Cretaceous ones which have been found in the Speeton Clay. In the Illustrations of the Geology of Yorkshire, by Professor Phillips, ten supposed Oolitic corals are mentioned, but they are not sufficiently defined for satisfactory reference. MM. Milne Edwards and Haime, in their History of British Fossil Corals, have, indeed, referred them to certain recognised species, as I shall now show, but it is most desirable that an actual comparison should be made between Yorkshire specimens and undoubted examples of the species to which they have been referred by those celebrated zoophytologists. The following is the list of Oolitic corals given by Professor Phillips, as revised by MM. Milne Edwards and Haime :— STYLINA TUBULIFERA. Astrma tubulifera Phill. 111., Vol. I., p. 126, pi. iii., fig. 6. 1829. Coral Rag, Malton. at University of Birmingham on June 1, 2015 http://pygs.lyellcollection.org/ Downloaded from
Transcript of CONTRIBUTIONS TO A HISTORY OF THE MESOZOIC CORALS OP …
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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