An Astraeiform Coral from Central Japan

Extract

SINCE the publication of my paper on the fauna of the Anthracolithic Limestone of Oomi-mura, Province of Echigo, Central Japan, I have added to my collection fresh material from this locality, collected either by myself or by others. Among this is an astraeiform coral to which I wish to draw attention since such corals are everywhere uncommon in the Carboniferous and, as far as Japan is concerned, is the first to be recorded. The specimen is only a small fragment, its polished transverse surface measuring not more than 2 cm. by 2 cm. Unfortunately the coral is in an unsatisfactory state of preservation so that its structural details are difficult to decipher. However, from a careful examination of the polished surface and of thin sections cut from the coral I am inclined to regard it as a species of Orionastraea Smith, a genus which hitherto has only been known to occur in the Carboniferous rocks of the British Isles.