Coral Reefs, Fossil and Recent

Abstract

DR. VON LENDENFELD'S account of the dolomites of the Italian Tyrol, in his letter on “Coral Reefs, Fossil and Recent,” is a very valuable contribution to this interesting question; but I think he can hardly have fallen in with the new edition of Darwin's “Coral Reefs,” or he would not have asserted that in the discussion “the structure of our Triassic limestone mountains has been left out of account.” In the appendix (p. 332) I wrote:—“If those geologists are right who consider the Schlern dolomites as being to a great extent due to reef-building corals, we have, in the Triassic deposits of the Italian Tyrol, reefs thick enough to satisfy the most exacting requirements. “I could not venture upon a more positive statement, because I knew controversy on this question was not ended, and I had not myself, though fairly familiar with the “Dolomites,” discovered evidence which appeared to me conclusive (though I incline to the above opinion myself), and because I considered that the view advanced several years since by Richthofen required some modification—indeed, as to one detail, if I understand him rightly, I should differ from Dr. von Lendenfeld.