Some English Cretaceous and Eocene Hexacorals

Abstract

Summary A new species of Oculina is described from the Hythe Beds (Upper Aptian) of Surrey. This is a surprisingly early occurrence of the genus, which is not otherwise known before the Tertiary. Two other corals— one a new species of Oculina , and the other a specimen of Paracyathus caryophyllus (Lamarck)—are described from the Blackheath Beds: they are the oldest English Tertiary corals known. A re-description of Heterocoenia reticulata (Duncan) is also given. I am indebted to Mr. A. G. Davis, Mr. F. J. Epps, the late C. W. Hobley, C.M.G., and Messrs. C. W. and E. V. Wright for the material of the new species; to Mr. C. W. Wright also for providing me with notes on the horizon of the two pits at Taylor9s Hill, Godstone, Surrey; and to my colleague, Mr. W. H. T. Tams, for the excellent photographs of the corals. Genolectotype (see Edwards and Haime 1850, p. xix).— Oculina virginea Lamarck 1816, p. 285 (non Madrepora virginea Linnaeus 1758, p. 798, nec Madrepora virginea Ellis and Solander 1786, p. 154, pl. xxxvi), Recent, West Indies = O. diffusa Lamarck 1816, p. 285, Recent, West Indies. Material .—The holotype and seven paratypes, all silicified, preserved in ferruginous sandstone, from the Lower Greensand, Hythe Beds, Upper Aptian, martini zone, Taylor9s Hill Pit (North), south of Godstone, Surrey (National Grid reference, 357507). Holotype .—R.35210 (C.W. and E. V. Wright collection). Paratypes .—R.33690–R.33695 (A. G. Davis collection) and R.33696 (C. W. Hobley collection). Diagnosis .— Oculina forming a reticulate corallum, with calices from 1·3 to 1·5