I will next describe the single lamellated Anthozoa, and afterwards notice those corals which consist of an aggregation of radiated cells, either frondescent, or disposed in solid masses.
FUNGIA. ANTHOPHYLLUM.
Fungia (Wond. p. 623).—The corals thus named, from their supposed resemblance to fungi, are of a depressed form, and have the under surface scabrous; they are divided above by numerous lamellæ, or plates, which radiate from a central, oblong depression.
When living, the solid stony polyparium is enclosed in the gelatinous mass by which it was secreted, and there are numerous tentacula around the central cavity, or sac. These zoophytes may be compared to the Actiniæ, or Sea-Anemones, from which they differ only in having a calcareous axis, while the Actiniæ have a tough albuminous integument. (Wond. pl. vi. fig. 15, represents the living animal; and [Lign. 141, fig. 2, p. 641], and [Lign. 58, fig. 4], two fossil species).[236]
Fungia numismalis. Pict, Atlas, pl. xxxvi. fig. 6.
——— polymorpha. Ibid. pl. xliii. fig. 1—4; pl. xlv, fig. 11.
Anthophyllum Atlanticum. [Lign. 88. fig. 4.]—In the arenaceous strata of the United States, which the researches of Dr. Morton, of Philadelphia, have proved to be the equivalents of the European Cretaceous formation, a single lamellated coral is not uncommon. It is evidently related to the Fungiæ, and has been named as above by Dr. Morton.
Turbinolia Königi (Wond. p. 320).—Polyparium turbinated, striated externally, detached, base not adhering; cell single, radiated.
This genus occurs in all the fossiliferous deposits: a small, well-marked species is frequently met with in the Galt, of which subdivision of the cretaceous strata it is a characteristic fossil. It is figured Wond. Lign. 58, figs. 1, 2.[237]